Source: Public Relations and Information Department

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House passes bill protecting students' right
26 November 2009 10:16:50 AM
Writer: Lorelei Castillo, MRS-PRIB

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure protecting the right of students to choose which review center to enroll in for licensure examinations.

House Bill 6841, principally authored by Rep. Teodoro A. Casiño (Party-list, Bayan Muna), seeks to eliminate the practice of some schools of compelling their graduates to enroll in a particular review center and withholding their scholastic documents if they refuse to do so.

Casiño said it is the declared policy of the State to promote and protect the right to education as enshrined in the Constitution.

"While the State recognizes the complementary roles of public and private institutions in the enhancement and strengthening of the educational system, it is also the responsibility of the State to ensure the protection of students against possible abuses by higher educational institutions in relation to the right of students to choose their review centers," Casiño said.

Casiño said forcing students to pay for review sessions in a particular review center of the school's choice is a common practice in courses requiring professional licensing examinations.

Casiño said these review sessions are often counted as required subjects, with corresponding units that have to be earned.

"While it is imperative to ensure that students pass their board exams, an exclusive partnership between a nursing school and a review center is unnecessary and often results in a collusion to charge higher, unjustifiable fees from students and their parents," Casiño said.

Casiño said students are not given the chance to choose review centers that are more accessible and affordable to them.

"In the first place, review courses are supposed to be optional and do not form part of the curriculum." Casiño added.

The measure protects the right of students to enroll in review centers of their choice by enumerating the acts, which are considered violative of students' rights.

The bill covers all public and private higher educational institutions (HEIs), including local colleges and universities offering courses that require professional licensure examinations.

The bill also provides penalties of prision correccional or imprisonment from six months to six years for violations of unlawful acts enumerated in the Act.

Co-authors of the measure are Reps. Cynthia A. Villar (Lone District, Las Piñas City), Mauricio G. Domogan (Lone District, Baguio City), Luzviminda C. Ilagan (Party-list, Gabriela), Del R. De Guzman (2nd District, Marikina City), Pryde Henry A. Teves (3rd District, Negros Oriental), Jesus Crispin C. Remulla (3rd District, Cavite), Neri J. Colmenares (Party-list, Bayan Muna) and Neptali M. Gonzales II (Lone District, Mandaluyong City).