Schools prohibiting studes from taking exams warned

School owners or administrators are facing penalty if found guilty of prohibiting students with delinquent tuition to take the mid-term or final examinations.

Manila Rep. Carlo Lopez filed House Bill 4559 that declares unlawful the act prohibiting any student from taking any examinations due to non-payment of tuition.

Violators face suspension or cancellation of their permit to operate and a fine of not more than P50,000.

“A reasonable compromise between competing needs of students and the administration of the schools must be prescribed,” Lopez said.

But Lopez added the school authorities are entitled under the bill to withhold the release of the grades of such students until the unpaid tuition, plus interest charges, are fully paid.

“The bill recognizes the rights of the school authorities, who cannot be compelled to issue clearance to students with unpaid financial obligations to their schools,” Lopez said.

Under the bill, the student with an unpaid tuition may be admitted by the school concerned at the next succeeding semester’s classes or at the next succeeding opening of a new academic year, until the prior delinquencies are fully paid.

Lopez said the students shall be obligated to pay an interest for the unpaid tuition, an amount equivalent to not more than 14 percent per annum, computed from the date of the examination, unless waived by the school’s authorities.

Lopez cited Section 99, Article 20 of the Manual of Regulation for Private Higher Education which states that “Higher Education Institutions shall deny final examination for students who have outstanding financial or property obligation, including unpaid tuition and other school fees corresponding to the school term.”

“Under the bill, the poor students with delinquent tuition shall be protected and can bring their case to the court, as well as the schools right to slap interest for the unpaid tuition and cannot be compelled to issue clearances to students with financial obligations to their schools,” Lopez said. Charlie V. Manalo, Daily Tribune