Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in a radio interview on Monday, February 27, said that Senate Bill No. 1359, a measure he co-sponsored, shall prohibit public and private educational institutions from imposing a “no permit, no exam” policy.
The Senate Bill was principally authored by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Go has expressed intent to also co-author the measure.
The senator said that preventing students from taking exams is a burden that hampers their ability to concentrate on their studies, and that such policies can lead to depression and worse.
“Sa atin dito, ayaw natin maantala ang (kanilang) pag-aaral. Alam n’yo, napakabigat po n’yan kapag hindi sila makaka-exam. Instead na maka-concentrate, makatutok sa pag-aaral ang mga kabataan, pabigat ‘yun sa iniisip nila,” said Go.
The senator then cited a case wherein a student committed suicide a few years ago for not being able to take exams due to financial difficulties. He emphasized that this should not happen again, saying, “Iniiwasan natin ‘yan na ma-depress ang mga estudyante. Dapat nga, ine-engganyo natin silang mag-aral.”
“Alam mo, (ang) edukasyon, ‘yan lang po ang puhunan natin sa mundong ito, makapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang mga bata. Sila po ang kinabukasan ng bayang ito. Bigyan natin ng suporta at palugit para hindi mapunta ang pressure sa kanila,” he urged.
Go also acknowledged that many Filipino families are still struggling due to the economic impact of the pandemic and other natural calamities.
“Alam n’yo, marami pong pamilyang Pilipino pa rin ang apektado pa rin ng pandemic. Kasama na po d’yan ang natural na kalamidad, lalo na po ang mga bagyo. Marami po ang apektado,” Go pointed out.
“Atin naman dito, habang pinipilit nating makabangon sa crisis situation na ito, dapat naka-focus ang mga estudyante kung paano makapasa sa exam,” he added.
While he acknowledged that schools need stable finances to continue operating, Go said that their primary goal should be to provide quality education. The senator then stressed the need to strike a balance between the needs of the students and those of the schools.
“Naiintindihan naman natin, kailangan din ng mga paaralan ang stable finances to continue operating. Kailangang balansehin din po. Pero ang primary goal naman talaga nila is to provide education first, (aside from doing) business,” said Go.
“Tayo naman, ayaw natin na ‘yung mga negosyante na may eskwelahan ay hindi na makapagpatuloy… Balansehin din natin dahil sila, nanggagaling din po ang kanilang kita to sustain the school ay mula rin po sa tuition,” he added.
The proposed measure covers all public and private educational institutions, including elementary and secondary schools, post-secondary technical-vocational institutes, and higher educational institutions (HEIs). It also covers all individuals enrolled in the K to 12 Basic Educational Program, certificate, diploma, or degree programs of HEIs, or in short-term courses offered by technical-vocational training institutes.
Under the proposed law, no educational institution, public or private, shall impose any policy that prevents students with outstanding financial or property obligations from taking examinations or any form of educational assessment.
However, the students and/or their parents or legal guardians must execute a promissory note addressed to the educational institution concerned, indicating the amount of outstanding financial or property obligations and the date when such obligation would be settled.
The proposed measure also provides authorized interventions that educational institutions may enforce against students with outstanding financial or property obligations until such time that the obligations have been settled.
However, compelling any student or their parents or legal guardians to pay a portion of the outstanding financial or property obligations before the administration of any examination or assessment will be prohibited.
Imposing fines, penalties or interests on outstanding financial or property obligations in excess of the maximum interest rate provided under the measure is also prohibited.
Educational institutions found guilty of committing any of the prohibited act will be punished by a fine of not less than PhP20,000 but not more than PhP50,000 for each case.
Go then said that the passage of SBN 1359 would help ensure that students are given equal opportunities to pursue their studies without being hindered by financial issues. It will also safeguard the mental health of students by reducing the pressure of unpaid fees and the anxiety of not being able to take exams.
“Bigyan natin ng palugit at huwag naman pigilan ang pag-exam… Unahin po natin ang kapakanan ng mahihirap,” he reiterated.
“Alam n’yo, ang mayayaman, kaya namang magbayad anytime.