Also known as the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act", RA 11984 is expected to address the rising number of school dropouts, and allow poor students to pursue studies pending the payment of their matriculation fees.

Authors of the measure in Congress lauded President Marcos for signing the new law that would protect both the interests of students and the educational institutions in the country.

Among the authors are Senators Nancy Binay and Reps. Raoul Dannie Manuel (Kabataan Partylist); Florencio Gabriel “Bem” Noel (An Waray Partylist);

Jaye Lacson-Noel (Lone District, Navotas) and Marvin Rillo (4th District, Quezon City).

Covered by the law are all public and private basic education institutions, higher education colleges and universities and technical-vocational institutions that offer long-term courses exceeding one year.

Signed by Marcos on March 11, the new law provides: “All public and private educational institutions covered by this Act are hereby mandated to accommodate and allow Disadvantaged Students unable to pay tuition and other fees to take the periodic and final examinations without requiring a permit.”

It also protects educational the right of educational institutions to require students to submit a promissory note and withhold records and credentials to be able to collect unpaid fees.

Other legal and administrative remedies may also be resorted to by the schools.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has been tasked to define “disadvantaged students” who will benefit from the law.