Schools in Armm to receive funds in 2017

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2016/10/12/schools-armm-receive-funds-2017-503195
• Wednesday, October 12, 2016

By Bong Garcia (Sunnex)

ALL public elementary and secondary schools in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) will be entitled to Maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) starting on 2017, an official of Department of Education (DepEd)-Armm said.

The DepEd-Armm Secretary John Magno bared the announcement citing 96 percent of the more than P12 billion earmarked for the department will be allocated for personnel services and the remaining four percent will be for the MOOE of schools.

Magno said MOOE is the allocated funds to sustain expenses for utilities such as electric and water bills, procurement of school supplies, salaries for janitors and security personnel, and other expenditures.

Magno noted that only central schools and national high schools were previously granted MOOE resulting in problems for many schools specifically on how to support their financial needs.

"This has led to irregular collection of fees by school heads from teachers and students," Magno added.

He said the MOOE could be used in the procurement of school supplies needed in classroom teaching, school training activities, utilities and communications expenses, graduation rites expenses, and minor school repairs.

The DepEd-Armm covers nine schools divisions namely: Maguindanao I and II, Marawi City, Lanao Sur I and II, Lamitan City, Basilan, Sulu, and, Tawi-Tawi.

Magno said there are 2,150 public elementary schools and 304 secondary schools in the Armm.

He said the amount of MOOE allocated for each school is based on total school enrolment, number of teachers, number of classrooms, and number of graduating students.