i, Republic of the Philippines $ OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT S $ COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER (CMO) No. __02 Series of 2010 SUBJECT: APPEAL TO HEIs FOR FLEXIBILITY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE “NO PERMIT, NO EXAMINATION POLICY” OR ANY SUCH POLICY THAT PROHIBITS STUDENTS FROM TAKING THEIR PERIODIC OR FINAL EXAMINATIONS DUE TO UNPAID TUITION AND OTHER SCHOOL FEES In accordance with the pertinent provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7722, otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994,” and for the purpose of enstiring the accessibility and affordability of quality higher education, and in view of the unabated economic crisis brought about by circumstances worldwide as'well as recent calamities that the country has faced in the past year, this Memorandum Order is hereby issued for the guidance and compliance of concerned higher education institutions (HEIs) Section 1. Rationale and Background The recent economic recession has greatly affected most of the countries in the world, including the Philippines. As prices in the world market rise, the cost of basic commodities and services in the country becomes prohibitive. Education is one of the basic services that are often affected in times of economic recession. Filipino families value education in view of its role in poverty alleviation and total human. capital formation. The government likewise recognizes that this is vital to the attainment of the nation’s development goals. Consequently, the unabated increases in tuition and other school fees has unduly burdened affected families and students enrolled in HEIs across the nation. Section 2. Declaration of Policy Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that “The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.” Higher Education Development Center Building, C-P. Garcia Ave., UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines Web Site: www.ched.gov.ph Tel. Nos. 441-1177, 385-4391, 441-1169, 441-1149, 441-1170, 441-1216, 392-5296Pursuant to this, the State shall ensure quality higher education in the country, and shall, through this Commission exercise reasonable regulation of public and private higher education institutions to ensure delivery of quality and affordable higher education to Filipino students. Section 3. Specific Guidelines In view of the foregoing premises, all concerned HEls are hereby requested to extend all possible assistance to students with outstanding balances in tuition and other fees due to financial difficulties. HEIs shall extend utmost flexibility in the implementation of the “No permit, no examination” Policy they are adopting, if any, and any such policy/ies that prohibit/s students from taking their periodic or final examination due to unpaid school accounts. As such, HEls shall allow students with delinquent accounts to take school examinations. Further, affected students may undertake, subject to the discretion of the school, the execution of a Promisory Note, guaranteed by their parents, and subject’ further to the right of the school concerned to withhold the release or issuance of their school clearance prior to their graduation until all prior accountabilities are fully settled. CHED Regional Offices are hereby directed to inform HEIs within their jurisdiction and strictly monitor compliance thereof, For guidance and immediate compliance of all concerned. Issued this 22nd_ day of January 2010, Quezon City, Philippines. at EIMMANUEL Y. ANGELES Chairman