2 Nursing students seek school records

CEBU, Philippines - The lawyer of two Nursing students barred from graduating by the Southwestern University manifested before the court to compel the defendants of the case to show the students their records.

Joselito Alo said the school must show the records of Jervis Dreamond Leonardo and Raymart Delos Santos for evaluation to prove they indeed failed the subject Clinical Forum 2.

Alo said they can raise the issue to the Commission on Higher Education for clarification if only the defendants would show the records.

He added the fact that the names of the two were listed in the program for the 66th Commencement Exercises of SWU last March 30, 2012, leads to the presumption they had complied with the requirements on the cut-off date.

Leonardo told the media their clinical instructor Juliet Christi Salares never showed them the actual records but only a summary of grades.

“I cannot accept that I have a failing grade because based on the records it showed that I had passed all exams,” he said.

Leonardo added he was embarrassed after knowing that they cannot graduate despite the fact that they were qualified to graduate.

Joselito, Leonardo’s father, said he came back from Japan to attend the graduation of his son, only to find out his son cannot march because of a failing grade.

Leonardo’s mother Daisy likewise expressed her grief.

“As a mother it was hurting to know your son cannot graduate, the instructor didn’t inform me, and instead we knew it nine days before the graduation.”

She said they brought the issue before the court after the school failed to show them the records despite their plea.

Named defendants were SWU president Elsa Suralta, Dean Lucris Tan Jr. of the College of Nursing, clinical instructor Juliet Christi Salares and Neil Brian Villaraso.

The students and their respective parents filed a civil case for a petition for mandamus and/or specific performance and damages against the school and its administration.

They asked the court to issue a writ of preliminary injunction against defendants to allow them to take the Nursing Board on June 30 and July 1, 2012.

Meanwhile, a parent of one of six students refused entrance to the Talisay City College after they allegedly committed vandalism is mulling seeking legal opinion.

Six students were not allowed to enroll at the TCC for vandalizing a poster last December.

The students were supposed to enroll last April 11, but were told to come back the following day as their names were not in the list of students who can enroll.

The next day they were told by school dean Edgar Martinez that they should make a letter of apology, with an assurance that the incident last December will not happen again.

After submitting the letter, the dean advised them to instead file a request of their transcript of records and diploma. One of the student said when a student is told that, it means that he or she can no longer enroll with that school.

The student said what they did was only “very minor”, they only wrote some names and drew on a poster that had fallen to the floor of their Hospitality Management room.

The students said they were later questioned about the incident and upon assurance from Jaime Cadampog, head of the Industrial Technology department, that he would help them if they admit to the vandalism, the six of them admitted to the crime.

TCC President Tomas Ramos admitted that the names of the six students are not included in the list of incoming third year students. He said that this was the vandalism incident in the school and it will not be tolerated.

But Ramos said the school year has yet to start on June 11, which means there is still time for the management committee to render a report on its deliberation. However, the school head said he has the last say whether or not to approve or disapprove its recommendation. — (FREEMAN)