Monday, September 05, 2005
NUSP SUPPORTS PMI WALK-OUT, DECLARES NO-PERMIT NO-EXAM POLICY AS BLACKMAIL
September 1, 2005
“The owners of the Philippine Maritime Institute are no different from the repressive and anti-student regime of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for curtailing their students’ right to legitimate dissent and freedom of expression against a repressive policy as that of the no-permit, no-exam rule.” This was the statement by Rizza Ramirez, National President of the National Union of Students of the Philippines as the NUSP and other student organizations express their full support for the planned class walkout of PMI students on Monday, September 5, in response to the continued insistence of the administration to disallow their students to take their exams for not settling their remaining tuition fee balance with the school.
Ramirez says, “PMI should never make their students milking cows especially when most of them come from poor families. In the wake of rising costs of oil and basic commodities, it is foolish for the PMI administration to expect their students to be able to settle their dues on time and in full. The revenues of the school should not be of paramount consideration, but also their students’ capacity to pay.”
“The no-permit, no-exam policy of PMI and other private colleges and universities is outright blackmail to pressure its students to pay as the owners know fully well that students would rather settle their dues than fail in their exams for non-payment. Is this a school or a cash register? ” Ramirez asserts.
“The PMI administration has said that it respects their students’ right to free expression but would forbid make-up exams for those who will join the Monday Walk-out. This is not respect but outright curtailment of academic freedom and blatant campus repression.” Ramirez explains.
Ramirez asserts, “Lest the PMI administration does not know, Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Liza Largoza Maza has already filed a resolution seeking the ban of the no-permit, no-exam policy for being anti-poor as it denies financially incapable students who have done well in their academics the opportunity to continue their education.”
Ramirez adds, “This repressive policy is nothing new to students-at-large as almost all private colleges and universities are implementing this. The discriminatory character of this policy transcends that of the simple failure to take examinations but forces students out of school as well, up until the time they can settle their unpaid dues. But in the context of a worsening economic crisis, it jeopardizes fully all opportunity for the students to finish their studies and earn their degrees.
“Ramirez explains, “They should be allowed to take their exams, regardless of not being able to pay their dues. The administration can then hold their transcripts until the students pay all the remaining balance. This is the best recourse for this, especially for a college like PMI with sub-par education standards and facilities despite perennially increasing tuition fees.
“More than the PMI administration, the Commission on Higher Education and President Arroyo should be blamed for this repressive policy against the students. If this regime is really concerned about the future of its youth, a policy like the no-permit, no-exam should have been banned a long time ago through a memorandum from the CHED as it curtails youth’s accessibility and right to education. But apparently, the President is keener on ensuring her political survival than the education of her people.” Ramirez finally says.
“The owners of the Philippine Maritime Institute are no different from the repressive and anti-student regime of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for curtailing their students’ right to legitimate dissent and freedom of expression against a repressive policy as that of the no-permit, no-exam rule.” This was the statement by Rizza Ramirez, National President of the National Union of Students of the Philippines as the NUSP and other student organizations express their full support for the planned class walkout of PMI students on Monday, September 5, in response to the continued insistence of the administration to disallow their students to take their exams for not settling their remaining tuition fee balance with the school.
Ramirez says, “PMI should never make their students milking cows especially when most of them come from poor families. In the wake of rising costs of oil and basic commodities, it is foolish for the PMI administration to expect their students to be able to settle their dues on time and in full. The revenues of the school should not be of paramount consideration, but also their students’ capacity to pay.”
“The no-permit, no-exam policy of PMI and other private colleges and universities is outright blackmail to pressure its students to pay as the owners know fully well that students would rather settle their dues than fail in their exams for non-payment. Is this a school or a cash register? ” Ramirez asserts.
“The PMI administration has said that it respects their students’ right to free expression but would forbid make-up exams for those who will join the Monday Walk-out. This is not respect but outright curtailment of academic freedom and blatant campus repression.” Ramirez explains.
Ramirez asserts, “Lest the PMI administration does not know, Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Liza Largoza Maza has already filed a resolution seeking the ban of the no-permit, no-exam policy for being anti-poor as it denies financially incapable students who have done well in their academics the opportunity to continue their education.”
Ramirez adds, “This repressive policy is nothing new to students-at-large as almost all private colleges and universities are implementing this. The discriminatory character of this policy transcends that of the simple failure to take examinations but forces students out of school as well, up until the time they can settle their unpaid dues. But in the context of a worsening economic crisis, it jeopardizes fully all opportunity for the students to finish their studies and earn their degrees.
“Ramirez explains, “They should be allowed to take their exams, regardless of not being able to pay their dues. The administration can then hold their transcripts until the students pay all the remaining balance. This is the best recourse for this, especially for a college like PMI with sub-par education standards and facilities despite perennially increasing tuition fees.
“More than the PMI administration, the Commission on Higher Education and President Arroyo should be blamed for this repressive policy against the students. If this regime is really concerned about the future of its youth, a policy like the no-permit, no-exam should have been banned a long time ago through a memorandum from the CHED as it curtails youth’s accessibility and right to education. But apparently, the President is keener on ensuring her political survival than the education of her people.” Ramirez finally says.
# posted by Terry Ridon : 2:33 PM
