Money-making school

MAY I bring to the attention of the Department of Education and other concerned authorities an illegal money-making scheme—a raffle—imposed upon us “captive” parents of schoolchildren at a private school in Parang, Marikina. I feel this is a serious matter, which may also be a practice among many other private schools. We cannot afford additional expenses. Tuition is difficult enough to raise.

While some prizes are given, the “top prize”—-the title of the queen of the festival—goes to the candidate whose parents get to raise the biggest amount; the runners-up are awarded lesser titles—“princesses.”

We were warned that the grades of schoolchildren with uncooperative parents would be deducted. Conversely, the grades of the winners would be rewarded with additional points.

As our daughter needed additional points to become an honor student, my husband took out a cash advance from his company. Our relatives chipped in too.

I called to report this matter to the DepEd’s Private Schools Division in Marikina. My report was met with indifference. Are the officials there in cahoots with private schools engaged in illegal activities? Was the raffle registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue?

I look forward to a proper response from the concerned officials, for the sake of us parents struggling to give our child a better education.

—NAME WITHHELD ON REQUEST