The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education on Monday approved in principle House Bill 1160 which seeks to ban the “no permit, no exam” policy in private higher education institutions (HEIs).

During the hearing, Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel said his bill would ensure that “the Filipino youth who are suffering from the impact of economic crisis, those who have difficulty in keeping with the cost of education are still able to continue their studies.”

“Kapag papalapit na yung exam period sa ating mga paaralan kaysa makapag-focus yung ating estudyante sa kung paano sila makakapaghanda, makakapag-aral ay pwede pa silang maapektuhan both mentally and economically kapag naghahabol para makabayad sa kanilang school fees (When the examination period in our schools nears, our students are affected both physically and economically because they have to find a way to pay for their school fees. This takes away their time to focus on the examinations),” Manuel said.

In recognizing the rights of schools, Manuel said the measure also allows them not to issue the clearance or credentials of the students if they fail to settle their unpaid fees.

Committee chairperson Rep. Mark Go (Baguio City) expressed his support for the proposal.

“Pwede bang imbes na negative ito (Can we do away with the negative impact), imposing penalty, why don’t we make it more positive… (that) the private universities and colleges and other institutions should allow students (to take exam) even if they have not paid, di ba mas maganda yun (isn’t that much better)? Kasi kung magbibigay ka ng iba-ibang exam dates para dun sila mag-exam (Because if you will give different dates when they can take the exam) because that’s the only time they pay tuition mahirap yun (that would be hard). So let them take the exam but they (school) can hold on to their credentials until they pay, or they cannot enroll in the next semester or year,” Go said, adding that this will serve as protection for the schools.

Manuel agreed with Go’s suggestion to amend his original proposal.

Go made an assurance that the committee will come up with a “win-win” bill that will be both beneficial to students and higher educational institutions. (PNA)