Despite clear orders from the Department of Education (DepEd) prohibiting forced contributions, some superiors continue to pressure school heads to provide funds when hosting visiting regional officials. This practice, though often unspoken, is widespread — and deeply troubling.
School funds are meant for essential needs: classroom improvements, student support, and daily operations. Asking principals to divert these limited resources — or worse, to spend from their own pockets — just to entertain guests is not only unfair but unethical. It places school leaders in a difficult position: follow improper demands or risk professional consequences.
Even more concerning is that these requests often come disguised as “voluntary,” when in reality, the pressure is implicit. School heads know that refusing may be seen as insubordination, affecting their performance ratings or future assignments.
Such actions contradict DepEd’s own policies and undermine its credibility. If higher officials can bend the rules for convenience, what message does that send to educators, students, and the public? It sets a dangerous example — that policy can be ignored when it’s inconvenient for those in power.
We call on DepEd leadership to take a firm stand. These violations must not be tolerated. Investigate reports of forced contributions. Protect school heads who speak up. Most importantly, ensure that ethical leadership is practiced, not just preached.
Let schools focus on education, not on hosting duties. Let principals lead their schools — not serve as event organizers for officials. The culture of fear and forced giving must end now.
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