December is the month when collection questions arrive most often, and when parents are least likely to push back on them. It is worth knowing that the rule here is unusually blunt.
What does the rule actually say?
DepEd Memorandum No. 41, s. 2024, Reiteration of the "No Collection Policy" in Schools, issued by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, states that the sale of tickets and the collection of contributions in any form from school children, students and teachers of public and private schools is prohibited.
Two phrases in the underlying policy do the work. The prohibition covers collections for any project or purpose, and it applies whether voluntary or otherwise.
That second phrase is the one that resolves most December arguments. "It's voluntary" is not a defence, because the policy anticipated it.
What are the exceptions?
Narrow and named. The 2024 memorandum states the policy does not cover:
- Red Cross membership fees
- Girl Scouts of the Philippines membership fees
- Boy Scouts of the Philippines membership fees
- Contributions of parents and other donors for the support of barrio high schools
A Christmas party fund is not among them. Neither is a decorations fund, a food fund, or a fund for a gift for staff.
Our no collection policy guide covers the full set of contributions that are genuinely voluntary for Grade 5 and up, and the timing rules that apply to them.
Is there a penalty?
Yes, and the memorandum cites it. Under Republic Act No. 4206, as amended, those who do not adhere to the prohibition face a fine or imprisonment for not more than a month, or both, at the discretion of the court.
The 2024 memorandum also references DepEd Order No. 49, s. 2022, which advises personnel to refrain from unwarranted solicitations and collections. That is the issuance aimed at the individual staff member rather than the institution.
What about exchange gifts?
There is no national rule banning an exchange gift. The problem is a specific one: a set peso value, announced as expected.
At that point it stops being a game and starts being a collection, and it creates precisely the situation the child protection principle in DepEd's activity rules is written against, that no learner shall be disadvantaged. The child who cannot produce the amount is visibly the child who cannot produce the amount.
Schools that handle this well tend to do one of three things: set no value at all, cap it at something genuinely trivial, or run something that costs nothing to join. None of those require a memorandum to arrive at.
Do private schools have to follow this?
The 2024 memorandum refers to learners and teachers of public and private schools, colleges and universities.
Private schools do have wider latitude on fees, but the latitude sits in the enrolment assessment, disclosed up front, not in ad hoc collections during the year. A December collection that was not in the assessment is not covered by that latitude. Our guide to reading a private school assessment covers what should appear in it.
When are school parties held?
Around the term break. For SY 2026-2027, the second term runs 16 September to 4 December 2026, with the break from 7 to 18 December 2026. Parties generally fall in the days before it.
Private schools are not required to adopt the three-term calendar under DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2026, so their dates differ. Our school calendar guide has the full structure.
If a collection is being made
- Ask what it is for and under what authority. A legitimate voluntary contribution is on a defined list; a party fund is not on it.
- Note that "voluntary" is not a defence. The policy covers collections whether voluntary or otherwise.
- Do not let it attach to your child. Non-payment cannot affect admission, promotion, grades or clearance.
- Raise it with the school head first, then the schools division office. Divisions issue their own reminders on this and generally act.
- Keep it factual. The amount, the date, who asked, and how it was described are what an office can act on.
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Sources
- DepEd — DepEd reminds schools to adhere to 'no collection policy' (DepEd Memorandum No. 41, s. 2024)
- Manila Bulletin — DepEd reiterates 'no collection' policy in schools
- DepEd — DO 009, s. 2026: Guidelines on the Implementation of the Three-Term School Calendar in Basic Education
- SchoolFinderPH — DepEd No Collection Policy
- SchoolFinderPH — DepEd School Calendar 2026-2027
Disclaimer: collection rules are set by DepEd issuances that are periodically reiterated, and division offices add their own instructions. Confirm with your school head or schools division office before relying on any rule here.
