Openai/690aa178-4570-8004-aff5-fa278e2354a8

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User: RE: The Philippine law regarding no permit no exam policy.

RE: The Philippine law regarding no permit no exam policy. What does section 4 means?

Assistant: Section 4 of Republic Act No.

Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11984 (the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act”) states that all public and private educational institutions covered by the Act are mandated to allow disadvantaged students who are unable to pay tuition and other fees to take scheduled periodic and final examinations without requiring a permit. PCO Mirror

Here’s a breakdown of what that means in plain language:

Who is covered? The law applies to public and private basic education institutions (K–12), higher education institutions, and technical-vocational institutions (long-term courses over one year). Lawphil

Which students are affected under Section 4? Students who are unable to pay tuition and other school fees due to being disadvantaged (for example, due to calamities, emergencies, force majeure, or other justifiable reasons) may be allowed to take exams. Philstar

What must the school do? The school must permit these disadvantaged students to take their periodic or final exams even if they haven’t settled all fees and without requiring a “permit” (in the sense of a fee-clearance or special authorization tied to payment).

Are there any conditions or provisos? Yes, several:

• For K–12 students the mandate covers the entire school year (i.e., they may not be barred for the whole year). Supra Source
• The disadvantaged status must be certified by the appropriate social welfare officer (municipal/city/provincial or regional office of Department of Social Welfare and Development – DSWD) under rules to be issued. Lawphil
• The law explicitly states that this does not prejudice the school’s right to require a promissory note, or to withhold records/credentials, or use other legal/administrative remedies for collection of the unpaid fees. Lawphil
• The institution may voluntarily allow such disadvantaged students to take exams and release credentials even without the certification mentioned above, subject to the institution’s own policies. Lawphil

What this does not mean:

• It does not mean that all students with unpaid fees automatically qualify; the law speaks of “disadvantaged students” under defined circumstances (though schools may voluntarily extend the benefit).
• It does not take away the school’s ability to still require payment eventually, to require a promissory note, to withhold credentials, or to seek collection of unpaid fees.
• It does not eliminate all forms of administrative requirements; the permit‐free examination right applies under the conditions described.

In sum: Section 4 essentially ensures that a financially disadvantaged student—certified as such—may still take scheduled exams, even if there are unpaid tuition and fees, and the school cannot require a “permit” (i.e., block them from taking the exam on the basis of non‐clearance) provided the conditions are met. It is a protective measure, balancing the student’s right to education with the school’s collection rights.

If you like, I can check the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the law (once issued) to see how “disadvantaged student” is defined and how schools and students must comply. Would you like me to do that?