THE House of Representatives yesterday approved on third and final reading a measure prohibiting all schools from stopping college students from taking exams because of unpaid tuition and other school fees.
With 237 votes, congressmen approved House Bill No. 6483 or “An Act Allowing College Students with Unpaid Tuition and Other School Fees to Take the Periodic and Final Examinations on Good Cause and Justifiable Grounds.”
While it gives students reprieve, the measure does not unqualifiedly extinguish their financial responsibilities to the school: “Provided, that the student executes a promissory note for the schedule of settlement of the outstanding financial obligation prior to the taking of examination.”
The bill said any deferment of payment of unpaid balance “shall not go beyond the semester, except when allowed by the HEI (higher educational institutions).”
It said school authorities “shall have the right to withhold the issuance of appropriate clearance and transfer credentials of college students with unpaid financial obligations and refuse their enrollment in the next enrollment period, whether semester or trimester, until all previous delinquencies are fully paid.”
“College students enrolled in HEIs shall have the responsibility of meeting the academic and institutional requirements of the HEIs, including the prompt payment of financial obligations as defined and determined by the HEI at the time of enrolment, subject to penalties and sanctions for non-compliance,” said HB 6483.
The bills said the State has the responsibility of protecting and promoting the right of citizens to quality education, and to make education accessible to all.
“Considering that higher education is imbued with public interest, all HEIs shall adopt appropriate policies to accommodate and allow students who, due to emergencies, force majeure, and good cause or other justifiable reasons, have unsettled financial obligations to take the scheduled periodic examinations,” it continued.
Under the bill, HEIs found guilty of violating any provision of this measure shall be “subject to administrative sanctions by the Commission on Higher Education pursuant to its powers under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the ‘Higher Education Act of 1994.’”
“Students found guilty of committing any act of fraud, falsehood or misrepresentation in availing themselves of the benefits of this Act shall be subject to appropriate administrative and disciplinary sanctions of the HEI,” it said.
