Lesson 4: School Policies and Their Functions

Introduction:
Schools are institutions motivated by a shared vision. Necessarily, schools
must have policies for them to realize their vision and mission. These policies are a
reflection of the values of the people who created them. Whatever policies are
formulated must redound to the improved teaching-learning of learners which is the
very reason of the existence of schools.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this lesson, the students must have:

 explained the importance of school policies in school operation

Activity – Let’s Read These

1. Here is a part of the policy on grading given by the Dep Ed Central Office in
Dep Ed Order no. 8, s. 2015, dated April 1, 2015. Study the components and
the corresponding percentage and weights.

Table on Weight of Components for Grades 1-10

Components Languages, Science and MAPEH, EPP

AP, EsP Math and TLE
Written work 30% 40% 20%
Performance Tasks 50% 40% 60%
Quarterly Assessment 20% 20% 20%

2. Read this policy on students’ absences and tardiness:

A learner who incurs absences of more than 20% of the prescribed

number of class or laboratory periods during the school year or semester should
be given a failing grade and not earn credits for the learning area or subject.
Furthermore, the school head may, at his/her discretion and individual case,
exempt a learner who exempt a learner who exceeds the 20% limit for reasons
considered valid and acceptable to the school. The discretionary authority is
vested in the school head and may not be availed of by a student or granted by a
faculty member without the consent of the school head…(Dep Ed Order 8, s.
2015)
Habitual tardiness, especially during the first period in the morning and in
the afternoon, is discouraged. Teachers shall inform the parents/ guardians
through a meeting if a learner has incurred 5 consecutive days of tardiness.

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3. Read this excerpt of Dep Ed Order 54., s. 2009.

Activities. All PTA activities within the school premises or which involve
the school, its personnel or students shall be with prior consultation and
approval of the School Head.

Financial Matters. Such collections shall be made by the PTA subject to

the following conditions: If collection of the School Publications Fee, Student
Supreme Government (SSG) Developmental Fund and other club membership
fees and contributions is coursed through the PTA as requested by the
concerned organization, the amount collected shall be remitted immediately
to the school, SSG or other student organizations concerned on the day it
was collected. The pertinent organization shall deposit the funds with a
reputable bank on the next banking day under the organization’s account. No
service fee shall be charged against any student organization by the PTA.

Non-compliance or any violation of the aforementioned conditions shall be

a ground for the cancellation of the PTA’s recognition and /or the filing of
appropriate charges as the case may be.

1. Policy on Collection of Contributions

Cognizant of the need of an organization for adequate funds to

sustain its operations, a duly recognized PTA may collect voluntary
financial contributions from members and outside sources to enable it to
fund and sustain its operation and the implementation of its programs
and projects exclusively for the benefit of the students and the school
where it operates. The PTA’s programs and projects shall be in line with
the School Improvement Plan.

The Contributions should be a reasonable amount as may be

determined by the PTA Bard of Directors.

No payment of the contribution by the parent member shall not be a

basis for non-admission or non-issuance of clearance (s) to the child by
the school concerned;

The contributions shall be collected by the PTA Treasure on a per

parent-member basis regardless of the number of their children in
school;

No collection of PTA contributions shall be done during the enrollment

period; and

No teacher or any school personnel shall be involved in such

collection activities.

Safekeeping of Funds All collections of contributions or proceeds of

fundraising activities shall be deposited in a reputable banking institution
as determined by the Board of Directors. The PTA’s Treasurer or a duly
authorized representative shall undertake the collection and shall issue

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 official receipts/acknowledgement receipts. In no case shall any school
official or personnel be entrusted with the safekeeping and disbursement
of collections made by the PTA. All disbursements of funds shall be in
accordance with generally accepted accounting and auditing rules and
regulations.

PTAs are prohibited from:

Interfering in the academic and administrative management and
operations of the school, and of the Dep ED, in general;

Engaging in any partisan political activity within school premises;

Operating a canteen/school supplies store, or being a concessionaire

thereof inside the school or nearby premises, or offering these services to the
school as its client either directly or indirectly;

Selling insurance, pre-need plans or similar schemes or programs to

students and/or their parents; and

Such other acts or circumstances analogous to the forgoing.

PTA Officers and members of the Board of Directors are prohibited

from collecting salaries, honoraria, emoluments or other forms of
compensations from any of the funds collected or received by the PTA.

PTAs shall have no right to disburse, or charge any fees as service

fees or percentages against the amount collected pertinent to the School
Publication Fee, Supreme Student Government (SSG) Developmental Fund
and other club membership fees and contributions.

In no case shall a PTA or any of its officers or members of the Board

of Directors call upon students and teachers for purposes of investigation or
disciplinary action.

The recognition of any PTA shall be cancelled by the Division PTA

Affairs Committee upon the recommendation of the School Head concerned
for any violation of the above-mentioned prohibited activities and these
Guidelines. Thereafter, the School Head may call for a special election to
replace the Board of Directors of the PTA whose recognition was cancelled.
Criminal, civil and/or administrative actions may be taken against any
member or officer of the Board of the PTA who may appear responsible for
failure to submit the necessary annual financial statements or for failure to
account the funds of the PTA.

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 Analysis – Let’s Analyze

1. How do you feel about the policues? Are you happy about them? Or
are you happier without them? Why?
2. What if schools had no policies on the grading system? What may
happen? What are possible consequences on teaching and learning?
3. What if schools had no policies on the students’ tardiness and
absences? What may happen? What are possible consequences on
school atmosphere? on teaching and learning?
4. Based on the DepEd Order on PTA collections, why are schools very
strict with money collections?
5. The policies given above come from DepEd Central Office. Should all
school policies come from DepEd Central Office? Can schools also
formulate their own policies? If yes, why? If no, why not?
6. If schools can formulate their own policies, what conditions must be
met for these policies to be surely implemented?
7. What is an advantage of a policy formulated by the school community
over that policy which comes from above?

ABSTRACTION: Let’s Conceptualize

Importance of Policies

Schools in partnership with the community have their own picture of what
they want to (vision statement) and so must offer services and must do what they
are supposed to do (mission statement) in order to realize what they envisioned
themselves to be. For these to happen, policies must be in place. Observance of
these policies ensures everyone in the school community to tow the line. If
conditions are ideal like when all members of the school community are perfect-
school heads, teachers, students, parents, non-teaching personnel and other
members of the outside community there may be no need for a policy. The truth is
conditions in the school community and in this world are far from perfect and so the
need for policies.

One may wonder as to why the Department of Education has issued very
stringent policies and guidelines for PTAs in matters of collecting contributions. Even
engaging in any partisan political activity within school premises is written as one
prohibited activity. There must be a history to that. Perhaps malversation of funds
and other forms of abuse happened in the past.

Schools’ policy on the grading system is important for everyone concerned to

know how grades are computed. Both students and parents know how grades are
derived objectively. Percentage weights for each component are clear.

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 Teachers are guided in their assessment practices. The grading policy
ensures objective assessment practice. Without the grading policy, grading may
become highly subjective.

Similarly, if there are no policies on students’ tardiness and absenteeism,

students may just come in late or absent. The policies on students’ tardiness and
absenteeism certainly will curb tardiness and absenteeism to ensure learning.

Effective policy Formulation and Implementation in a School Community

Partnership

The policies on grading, student tardiness and absenteeism came from

above, Dep Ed Central office. At times there is a need for policies from above. But
policies do not need to come from above all the time.

There are times when a school formulates a policy to address a local

problem. In fact, this is how it should be in a school-community partnership. Ideally,
a policy must not be formulated by the school head by himself/herself. The school
head must lead in the policy formulation process. The word “lead” implies that an
effective policy formulation process must be participatory. This means that it is best
that the rest of the school and community be involved. Two good heads are better
than one. Besides participation of school and community develops a sense of
ownership of such formulated policy which ensures a more effective implementation.
This is school empowerment in action. Aside from involving the school and
community in policy formulation, a school head must ensure wide dissemination and
correct and clear understanding of the policy.

Application: Let’s Apply

A. Read April 11, 2018, DM 066, s. 2018 – Brigada Eskwela Implementing

Guidelines. Present a policy that you read in the DepEd Memorandum. Explain
what the policy states and why this policy is necessary.

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 Assessment – Let’s Check for Understanding

Direction: Read the statement/question carefully. Choose the letter of the correct
answer and write it in your notebook.

1. What are PTAs prohibited from doing?

I. Interfering in the academic and administrative management and operations

of the school, and of the DepED;
II. Engaging in any partisan political activity within school premises;
III. Operating a canteen/school supplies store, or being a concessionaire
thereof inside the school or nearby premises, or offering these services to
the school as its client either directly or indirectly;

A. I, II and III C. I and II

B. II and III D. I and III

2. Which statement on School Policies is CORRECT?

A. They suffocate school climate.
B. They help ensure realization of school goals.
C. They come from above and so by all means be observed.
D. They cannot be changed.

3. Which is the most effective way of making policies?

A. School Head to involve stakeholders
B. Students not to participate since policies are for them
C. Only parents of students enrolled are involved
D. School policies are permanent to build the culture of excellence

4. Why is there a policy on grading?

I. To fulfill the purposes of assessment
II. For fair grade computation
III. For the guidance and information of all

A. I, II C. II and III
B. I and III D. I, II and III

5. “The Sabbath is made for man and not man for the Sabbath.” What does this
imply regarding policies?

A. Policies are formulated to help people in the organization.

B. Policies showed not to be adjusted when people in organization cannot
aside by the policy.
C. Policies are orders form above like the law of the Sabbath.
D. Laws are formulated by man and women in society.

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