MANILA, Philippines — Private school students with unpaid bills should be allowed to take examinations, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).
Amid reports of a Grade 1 pupil in Quezon City who was prohibited from taking an exam and was forced to write a promissory note, Education Undersecretary and spokesperson Annalyn Sevilla on Tuesday reminded schools of an existing DepEd order prohibiting a “no permit, no exam” policy.
“DepEd Order No. 15, S. 2010 provides that all schools should allow students to take exam and collect later,” Sevilla told The STAR.
“Parents, however, are advised to recognize their financial obligations to concerned private schools,” she added.
Issued by former education secretary Jesli Lapus, the order stresses that civil liabilities of parents should not in any way jeopardize their children’s continued schooling.
“In the same manner that private schools have imposed only modest or no tuition increases due to current economic difficulties, these schools should be more considerate of students with unpaid fees owing to family hardships and allow them to take their exams,” it said.
“On the other hand, parents of students with outstanding accounts should recognize their financial obligations and arrange with the school administration the terms for the eventual settlement of such obligations,” it added.
A social media post that went viral this week narrated a supposed incident at a private school in Quezon City, where a school official forced a Grade 1 pupil to write a promissory note that they would settle their accountabilities.
The pupil was also prohibited from taking an exam and attending the recognition rites until the accountability was settled.
Sevilla said their regional office in Metro Manila is aware of the matter but is still waiting for a formal complaint to be filed.
“Said complaint shall be evaluated based on the narration of relevant facts and instances by parties involved,” she added.