Marcos signs ‘No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act’
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law a measure that allows students with unpaid tuition and other school fees to take periodic and final examinations without requiring a permit, Malacañang announced on Saturday.
Republic Act (RA) 11984, or the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act,” signed by the President on March 11, covers all public and private basic (k to 12) institutions, higher education institutions (HEIs), and technical vocational institutions (TVIs).
“All public and private educational institutions covered by this Act are hereby mandated to accommodate and allow disadvantaged students unable to pay tuition and other fees to take the periodic and final examinations without requiring a permit,” the new law read.
“Provided, however, that in the case of k to 12 students, the mandate shall be for the entire school year,” it added.
Also, the municipal, city and provincial social welfare and development officer, or the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall issue the necessary certificate on the disadvantaged status of the student due to calamities, emergencies, force majeure, and other good or justifiable reasons in accordance with the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) issued by the DSWD.
Further, the Act shall be “without prejudice to the right and power of the educational institutions to require the submission of a promissory note, withhold records and credential of students and such other legal and administrative remedies available to them for the collection of unpaid fees.”
All covered public and private educational institutions found guilty of violating Section 4 of the Act shall be “subject to administrative sanctions that may be imposed by the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), and the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).”
The DSWD, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, “shall promulgate the rules and regulations” defining “disadvantaged student” and the criteria and requirements for the effectivity of the issuance of necessary certifications by different entities involved to effectively carry out the law.
‘Milestone’
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez hailed the signing of the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act,” calling it a “milestone in the country’s journey towards educational equity.”
In a statement, Romualdez said the scrapping of the “no permit, no exam” rule broke down barriers and ensured that every student, regardless of their financial background, has equal access to education.
He also cited the significance of providing equal opportunities for all students to pursue their academic aspirations.
“Education is a fundamental right, and it is our duty to create an environment where every student can thrive,” Romualdez said.
He called on schools to adhere to the provisions of RA 11984 and provide the necessary accommodations to disadvantaged students.
“Educational institutions play a vital role in ensuring the smooth transition towards a more inclusive educational environment,” Romualdez said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said that the signing of the law was a “significant victory for students’ rights and welfare.”
She said that the policy had been a “contentious issue” that disproportionately affected students who were unable to comply with some requirements due to various circumstances beyond their control.
“It created unnecessary barriers and hindered students’ access to education, further exacerbating inequality and marginalization,” Castro said.
She also said that the prohibition of the “no permit, no exam” policy was a “crucial step” towards ensuring that no student would be unfairly denied the chance to take examinations and demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
“This new law sends a clear message that education should not be an exclusive privilege but a right that must be upheld and protected. We must create an environment where students are supported and given every opportunity to succeed, regardless of their circumstances,” Castro said.
Asked for comment on the measure, Department of Education Assistant Secretary and Deputy Spokesman Francis Cesar Bringas said that they have yet to secure a copy and read the entire law before commenting on the matter.
He also said that they will also wait for the IRR, which would be crafted by the DepEd, CHEd and Tesda, 60 days upon the approval of the law.
One of ‘greatest legacies’
Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who heads the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, hailed the passage of RA 11984 and thanked the President, saying it will be “one of the greatest legacies” that Congress and the Executive Branch can bestow upon the nation.
Now that the measure has become a law, Escudero said poor yet deserving students would be allowed to finish their education and have a chance for a better future.
“We thank President Marcos for the enactment of the proposed measure that would benefit our learners in the earliest possible time,” the senator said in Filipino.