San Pedro, Laguna. Students around the country will no longer worry before their examinations as Congresswoman Ann Matibag of San Pedro City of the first district of province of Laguna has already filed the Anti-No Permit, No Exam bill.
Known for her initiatives to the youth and mother sectors all over the archipelago, the former Laguna provincial board member gladly informed the public that the House Bill (HB) 1486 has also passed on first reading in the House of Representatives.
Despite the ongoing global economic inflation caused by the pandemic and rise in fuel prices, Rep. Matibag explains that the right of Filipino students to study in private and public universities must not be affected.
The proposed house bill seeks to allow students to take their preliminary, midterm, or final examinations without need for securing a permit as proof of payment of tuition and other school fees.
“It is really high time to get rid of the no permit, no exam policy being imposed to schools and most universities,” Matibag said, who earlier got the nod in Congress when her anti-trans fat bill was also passed on first reading.
“Every student has a right to finish their studies. Now that the opening of classes is near, no student should have their education interrupted just because he or she cannot pay tuition fees at the moment,” she added.
Matibag believes that education is not a privilege but an absolute right — reassuring parents that their children should be able to pursue their education without heavy pressure to settle debts as soon as possible.
“In my explanatory note, it is time to have an act penalizing the “no permit, no exam policy in all educational institutions. This is consistent with State policy to prioritize education, science and technology, arts and sports to foster patriotism,” according to Matibag.
She mentioned that despite this mandate, there are still many schools and college universities are still prohibiting their students to take the exam if they don’t settle or pay their tuition fee education.
Matibag added that she is sad to learn that some colleges and universities are capitalizing on hybrid classes, which cost them less on overhead expenses such as electricity and maintenance.
“We cannot allow our students and their parents to be exploited and used as milking cows especially during these hard economic times. The present condition is very depressing. We must correct it to guarantee the universal right to education of the Filipino youth,” said Matibag.
The Department of Education, meanwhile, previously announced the resumption of classes on August 22, 2022, while the full implementation of face-to-face classes will start on November 2, 2022.
