House Deputy Speaker and Las Pinas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar is prodding her congressman-colleagues to give final approval to the bill banning the restrictive “no permit, no exam” policy in educational institutions once sessions resume next month.
The Senate has already passed the counterpart measure on third and final reading.
Cong Villar seeks final House nod for bill banning 'no permit, no exam' rule
Apr 27, 2023 05:55 AM
At a glance
House Deputy Speaker and Las Pinas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar
House Deputy Speaker and Las Pinas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar is prodding her congressman-colleagues to pass on third and final reading the bill banning the restrictive “no permit, no exam” policy in educational institutions.
This, after the lady solon cited recent social media posts wherein some students were seen lining up shortly after midnight to get permit for their exams.
“Students should not be barred from taking exams due to their inability to pay tuition and other school fees at the time of their examinations. Hindi lang sa kolehiyo nangyayari ito ngayon kundi pati sa elementary at high school (This happens not only in college but also in elementary and high school),” lamented Villar.
Villar, one of the principal authors of House Bill (HB) No.7584 or "An Act allowing elementary and secondary learners with unpaid tuition and other school fees to take the periodic and final examinations on good cause and justifiable grounds", reiterated that the measure will provide relief to families facing economic difficulties.
Villar made the call to approve the measure ahead of the May 8 resumption of sessions in Congress.
“Poverty should not be an issue to get quality education," said the House leader.
Under the measure, private basic educational institutions shall adopt appropriate policies to accommodate and allow learners, who, due to emergencies, force majeure, and good cause or other justifiable reasons, have unsettled financial obligations, to take the scheduled periodic exams.
Parents or guardians, however, must execute a promissory note for the settlement of the outstanding financial obligation. Any deferment of payment of unpaid balance shall not go beyond the school year, except when allowed by the school.
Sanctions await schools found guilty of violating provisions of the measure.
Villar said the bill was approved on second reading by the House before lawmakers went on summer break last March 15.
Its counterpart measure in the Senate, Senate Bill No.(SB) No.1359, has been approved on third and final reading.