Camille P. Balagtas
People's TONIGHT
September 2, 2002
NEW KIND OF TERRORISM IN SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIONS
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Terrorism does not only exist in Basilan but in most schools in the country, holding the students hostage by denying them to take their examinations unless their parents pay the ransom of tuition.
Expressing concern on the growing numbers of complaints against the practice of some private and public schools on this alleged malpractice, Senator Manuel Villar said its about time that we give protection to the youth of today on this harassment.
Irked, Villar said through a bill, the young generation will be protected against the said practice denying students their examination permits due to unsettled financial obligations.
"With rising tuition and school fees it is beomcing harder for parents to meet payment schedules for the education of their children," said Villar.
According to Villar , the practice of disallowing students
from taking their exams because of unsettled financial obligations
should be stopped specifically because it will only drive parents
to debt and corrupt or criminal activities.
With rising fees, Villar says that due consideration must be
given to students. Senate bill 2303, also seeks to strike a reasonable
compromise between the competing needs of students and the school
administration.
To protect the interest of schools, Villar says that schools are entitled to withhold the release of grades until such a time that tuition fees and other obligations are settled.
The bill, Villar explains, does not compel schools to issue clearances to students with unpaid obligations. Likewise students and their parents will still be obligated to settle the unpaid obligations.
"What we wants is to give leeway to our students and their families who are heavily burdened due to the unhealthy state of the economy," said Villar.
"I think it is unfair and improper to prohibit students fromt aking their midterms and final examinations just because they cannot pay tuition on time," he added.
Offending schools face the penalty of suspension or cancellation
of their permits and fines ranging from P20,000-P50,000. Under
the bill, the Education Department will be tasked with promulgating
the implementing guidelines necessary to enforce the objectives
of the proposed law./// camille p. balagtas