Adamson students walk out over ‘no permit, no exam’ policy

Adamson University students protest against the school’s ‘no permit, no exam’ policy. Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines—Students of Adamson University walked out of their classes on Friday after failing to take their midterm examination because of the “no permit, no exam” policy.

In a statement sent to media, Anakbayan’s Adamson University chapter said 10 percent of students were not able to take their earlier preliminary tests and that the “numbers remain close to this rate for the midterms.”

The group said in addition to the “no permit” policy, the university also prohibited promissory notes amid the recent 10 to 15 percent tuition increase.

The chapter’s secretary general Erwin Escalante said they repeatedly asked for the suspension of the policy but was allegedly ignored by the university officials.

“We have gathered thousands of signatures to support an appeal letter which we submitted to the university administration. However, the appeal was dismissed by the authorities saying that the matter has been tackled with the Adamson University Student Government, who backed the policy against the students overwhelming opposition,” he said.

Escalante said the policy was against the school’s credo “Education with a heart.”

The group said 300 students walked out and joined the rally inside the campus. Some of the leaders were allegedly accosted by security personnel.

On Facebook, The Adamson Chronicle’s photo of the protest received more than 200 likes and 40 shares. Some commented that the university should give students leeway in paying fees.

The school publication on August 27 posted a reminder from the university’s finance office: “Reminders: No Permit, No Exam. Deadline of payment for Midterm school fees is on August 29, 2013. Midterm permits are now available at Cash Management Office. Thank you.”

In April, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) banned colleges and universities from enforcing the “no permit, no exam” policy.

“There shall be mechanisms for HEIs to institutionalize more compassionate policies and guidelines particularly for those students belonging to the vulnerable and marginalized sectors of our country,” CHEd chairperson Patricia Licuanan then said.

However, critics said CHEd’s memorandum order did not discuss how the prohibition would be implemented and monitored.

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