By DANNY O. SAGUN
PIA Dagupan Infocenter

SCHOOL authorities have asked heads of public and private schools to hold simple but meaningful school activities during the last two months of the present school year.

Schools Superintendent Alma Rubie Torio also urged school officials to be” very transparent” especially on finances in order to prevent problems or complaints that may be raised by concerned parents.

True to almost all public and private schools, February is the month for Junior-Senior proms and school outings or tours.
Graduation ceremonies follow next month.

Torio said that parents of pupils and students would not just air complaints if all activities particularly contributions are fully explained to them.

She said that contributions are voluntary so that no penalty or fine is imposed against a pupil or student who fails or opts not to give any contribuition. Non-payment of a JS prom fee should not be held against the concerned student or he is forced to pay even if he does not attend, she stressed.

Torio, who heads the Lingayen-based Pangasinan I school division, also urged those unable to finish their elementary or secondary schooling to avail of the alternative learning system (ALS) like what boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao did in order to pursue his college education.

She said that ALS students are given modules in place of the usual arrangement for regular schooling. An elementary dropout may be eligible for college if he passes the requirements, she told the Pantongtongan Tayo radio program of the Philippine Information Agency over Radyo ng Bayan-DZMQ.