A senator seeks to prohibit the discriminatory “No permit, No exam” policy in schools by making it illegal for any educational institution to prevent a student from taking examinations due to unpaid tuition and other fees.

 “Why should the student be barred from taking their tests and completing their requirements when there’s still a chance their family can settle payment of fees later,” asked Sen. Bam Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Education.

Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill No. 1235 prohibits schools from disallowing students with due and unpaid tuition and other school fees from taking examinations or providing a different schedule of exam from the rest of the student body.

The measure also bars schools from requiring a student to secure a special permit to take the examinations from the school authorities prior to the administration of examinations, according to Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Education.

A fine of P20,000 but not more than P50,000 will be imposed on any educational institution official or employee.

 This includes deans, coordinators, advisers, professors, instructors, principals, teachers and other concerned individuals found guilty of violating any of the aforementioned acts.

 However, the parents or legal guardian of the student must provide a promissory note, addressed to the school, indicating the amount and the date of payment as protection to the school’s right to fair payment.

 The measure covers private elementary schools, private secondary schools, public and private post-secondary technical-vocational institutes and public and private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), including local colleges and universities.

  “By penalizing this unlawful practice, Filipino families stand to gain by ensuring that students unable to settle educational fees on-time, may still benefit from the continuity of their education once outstanding balances are fully paid,” Sen. Bam said.

“Tulungan po natin ang pamilyang Pilipino na umasenso sa tulong ng edukasyon,” he added.

By protecting the welfare of students, Sen. Bam pointed out that they will have a fair opportunity to complete their education.