Knowledge helps people become more productive members of society and equips them with the building blocks for development. Without a solid base of knowledge derived from education, there would be very little innovation and productivity to spur the growth of our economy. This makes education one of society’s most critical responsibilities.
The Internet age
Despite our having many alternative means to education today, it does not follow that schools are no longer needed. While technology is readily accessible, and people can teach themselves how to use it, Philippine society as a whole remains immensely supportive of schools and teachers. Formal education is seen by many as a way out of poverty for their children and oftentimes, by extension, themselves.
Older generations have benefited from a traditional education — many hold formal degrees and have good jobs. So, while the educational milieu has certainly changed a lot in the last 50 years, education in general and schools in particular remain just as important as ever.
Affordable education
While the 1987 Constitution recognizes the duty of the State to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education, in a society where there is much social and economic deprivation there is still a need for legislation that supports better access to education for all. This is evident in the bills filed by several legislators, all of which seek to ban the ‘no permit, no exam’ policy in schools.
In January 2010, the CHED ordered higher education institutions to “extend utmost flexibility” with regards to the “no permit, no exam” policy. However, it has not categorically stopped schools from practicing it.
Many underprivileged but deserving students drop out of school because they are unable to access scholarship grants and other student loan programs that will enable them to pursue higher education. Even students from middle-income or relatively well-off families may sometimes face financial setbacks that can lead to delays in tuition payments.
Penalties
DepED Order No. 15 S. 2010 states that all schools should allow students to take their exams and settle their unpaid bills later. Senate Bill No. 907 proposes further to penalize public and private higher education institutions, high schools, and technical-vocational schools that implement a “no permit, no exam” policy. The bill also seeks to prohibit schools from giving students with unpaid fees a different exam schedule, or requiring them to secure a special permit before they are allowed to take examinations.
Disallowing students from taking their examinations over non-payment of tuition and other school fees is seen as a violation of the right to education. The bill does also state, however, that students are obligated to settle their unpaid school fees with an interest rate of five percent per annum. Outstanding accounts must be duly settled with the school administration.
Schools would retain rights over the release of grades, clearance, and the admission or enrollment of affected students. Those that violate the proposed law will be fined P50,000 to P100,000.
More issues
It cannot be denied, however, that private schools depend on tuition for operations. They do not receive government appropriations and, without prompt tuition payments, many could close.
Making it illegal for schools to compel prompt tuition payments could work to the detriment of our educational institutions: It could cost us the quality of our education and the competency of our graduates.
Learn more about the nuances of the “No permit, no exam” policy with the latest information shared by experts at Duran & Duran-Schulze Law. Call (+632) 478 5826 or email for inquiries.
https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/education-and-home/2019/03/28/1905157/deped-no-permit-no-exam-policy-prohibited
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/08/20/revilla-seeks-end-to-no-permit-no-exam-policy-in-schools-universities/
https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/08/15/campus-press/pacquiao-thumbs-down-no-permit-no-exam-policy/600091/
https://www.atinitonews.com/2019/10/what-next-after-the-no-homework-and-anti-no-permit-no-exam-bills/
4 Responses
Hello. I am a mother of a first year college student in STI legaspi. I tried to secure a preliminary exam permit by asking for a promissory note form so my daughter could take the exam but, the school administrator refuse to accept since they said that promissory note should be done on March 15, 2023 only. I came to their school on March 14, 2023 to atleast give an initial deposit of 1k for the balance from the enrollment since that is the only money that I have during that time. My enrollment balance is 1,928.00 and they told me to settle it before I can secure a promissory note for the preliminary period to which I am supposed to pay 4278.00. Given the fact, that I don’t have money that day aside from the 1k, I went back home and look for other source to look for money so I can pay for the 1928.00. The following day which is March 16, 2023 I went back to school to pay for the past due of 1928.00 so I can secure a promissory note for the preliminary exam but unfortunately, the school Administrator refused to issue a promissory form reiterating the deadline for it. I and my Daughter went home broken hearted and I can’t help myself to cry seeing the frustrations and disappointment on my daughters eye. She does not deserved this kind of treatment nor the other students who were also queing that time hoping to get a.promissory note. My daughters don’t even want to go back to school at all. I hope this things could be given special attention by the law making body and the CHED since this is really demoralising.
Just want to ask if the private school like elemetand highschool are covered for this law? Yung school kase ng anak ko my policy na no permit no exam, private school po sya
May isa po ako coteacher sa claro m. Recto high school sa manila na pinauwi ang estudyante nya kanina sa periodical test dahil daw po maraming absent. Umuwi na lang ang bata matapos mapahiya Kanino po ba peedeng ireport ito. Ang pangalan po ng coteacher ko ay Cristina Plameras.
We can give them exams but not the records until accounts are duly paid…private schools are struggling so hard during and after this pandemic and small schools like us dont have yet any govt subsidies unlike when a school has a junior or senior high…financial obligations for our school teachers and employees should be given on time…pls.understand our situation too..