House passes 'anti-no permit, no exam' bill

The House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously voted for the passage of the consolidated "anti-no permit, no exam" for third and final reading.

Kabataan party-list Representative Raymond “Mong” Palatino said it is now up to the Senate to adopt the bill before handing it to President Benigno Aquino III for his signature.

“The giant leap in our 'anti-no permit, no exam' campaign was achieved primarily due to the unity of students and parents and the quick action of Congress to boost the passage of the bill into law. This is good news and it sends a message to schools to desist implementing the 'no permit, no exam' policy,” Palatino said.

Palatino said that students with pending arrears are usually disallowed from taking examination, which may cause them to fail the subject and even experience humiliation.

“The bill is clear in its principle that no student shall be denied from taking his/her examination because of unpaid fees. Students should be able to focus on studying for their examinations and not worry if they cannot pay the school fees on time,” he added.

Palatino also explained that while the bill is still on its way to finally become a law, students and parents can invoke Section 99 Article 20 of the Manual of Private Schools that disallows the "no permit, no exam" policy.

By Kathrina Alvarez