When I was in Grade 2, I can clearly remember how I badly wanted to quit school. I rode a jeepney going home and when I arrived I cried as hard as I could to my mother. I couldn’t quickly adjust to school setting, I couldn’t accept the fact that I would need to spend less time playing at home. I told my mom that I don’t need to go to school because I already knew how read, write, and do numbers.
She was very angry at me. We both cried at that time. I don’t know what spell she casted on me but I still went to attend my afternoon class.
At a young age, I realised how hard it was for my mom to give me a proper education. When we moved to Manila, I promised myself that I would do good and I would do everything to make her happy. I did well in school. I was recognised for my hard work.
There were times that I didn’t have the drive to keep going; I couldn’t grasp the purpose of doing Algebra, I’m not a big fan of chemistry, and history class felt like the longest 1 hour of my existence. These hardships were just the tip of the iceberg.
The sacrifices of our parents are incomparable to ours. This made me realised how important education is. That’s why I am frustrated when someone takes this precious gift for granted.
I am even more angry when someone used their power to cripple the marginalised. Education is not for sale. It is our birthright.
Policies such as #NoPermitNoExam is something that hinders someone from chasing his/her dreams.
I am a student from a Catholic university. And yes, making this post makes me susceptible to many things but I figured that being coward should be the last on my list when our future is at the brink of failing.
Recently, my University released an updated policy on NO PERMIT NO EXAM. According to the them, when a student fails to present a piece of paper which enables him to take the examination, he must take his parent or guardian with him to school and secure a promissory note. He must settle his balances within 30 days or else, even if he answered his test, he will still get a grade of ZERO.
This is a thing of irony. The University is guided by the teachings of St. Vincent de Paul — a saint known for helping the poor — the school is also known as an academic institution for the poor.
This is a cruel approach in trying to solve financial difficulties.
Yes, my mother can pay on time. But why do I waste my time in doing this? Because I can’t fathom the fact that this is happening and we are govern by religious men.
Junk this proposed action. Why can’t you simply let us take our exam even without permit. In exchange of that, you can refrain students who have unpaid balances to view their grades, or you can hold their records until they are able to settle it. There are ways in enforcing parents to face their financial obligations to the school. This one is not proper and it will never be.
School is supposed to be our safe space. It should be a pillar of hope, fairness, equality, knowledge, honesty, and compassion.
