To die with dignity

Hole of Justice
by Peter G. Jimenea

To die with dignity

Never had there been school officials so irresolute and derelict in their duties than those crooks from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Region VI. Their deliberate betrayal of the students’ trust has created an  impression that it is done in exchange for… you know what!

The 699 graduating students of the University of Iloilo-Nursing School (UI-PHINMA), have been duped to enroll and pay P15,000 each for a Review Class not authorized by CHED. They were also told that grades obtained from this examination will constitute 40 percent of their total passing grade for graduation.

Sad to say, but after the examination, about one-half of the graduating class failed. The news stirs the peace among students who already have an idea of their grades in other subjects and are hopeful to graduate this year.

One of the affected parents wrote to the Dean, UI-PHINMA School of Nursing asking to furnish her the following guidelines; (1). Grading System, Components and Computation for both RLE and Lecture for Second Semester A.Y. 2010-2011.

(2). Whether or not the Review Class Hours was included in the number of hours for RLE & (3). What if a student will not attend a Review Class. A copy of which was also sent to CHED asking its legal opinion about this UI-PHINMA “In-House Review Program” for a fee.

Attached to her letter is the CHED's Memorandum Order No. 13, Series 2006: Re: "Prohibiting Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) from forcing their graduates and graduating students to enroll in their own Review Centers and/or Review Centers of their preference."

Upon learning of CHED M.O. 13, UI-PHINMA changed the title Review  into Comprehensive Enhancement Program. Still, a task-force created by CHED investigated the school officials on April 19, 2011. As the Holy Week falls on 21 and 22, taskforce members told the students they will know of the result on April 25, 2011.

It was only a misfortune that no news whatsoever was reported about the result of the investigation of CHED in this violation by UI-PHINMA. Instead, they informed the students that school officials asked for extension of time to submit a reply until May 3, 2011.

Worse, while CHED officials are giving the poor students a run-around of their case, on April 28 and 29, 2011, UI-PHINMA give examination on Comprehensive Enhancement Program to the graduating class. It is widely believed to justify their retention of the money the students have paid for enrolling in the subject. My God, what is somewhat missing in the empty lives of these people is to die with dignity!

This is not what we think CHED business is all about. But its Office in Region 6 seems to have been overrun by crooks. The deliberate neglect of officials to this problem and their open defiance to CHED M.O. No. 13 Series of 2006, which is their very own guidelines, had given school officials plenty of leeway to ignore that law for profit.

CHED officials in Region 6 should have warned school officials to refrain from doing monkey business while the students' case is still pending. But they did not. On why, your guess is as good as mine. But as a result, the students were badly beaten by their looks, asking, “the case was delayed, the decision was prepared, how?” These CHED officials have large propensity to deceit - Capone of their time!

“In Review Center Association of the Philippines vs. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Commission on Higher Education, a student is not even required to enroll in a review class or to take a review course prior to taking an examination given by the PRC.”

“Even if a student enrolls in a review center, attendance is not mandatory. He is not required to take or pass an examination and neither is he given a grade. The “In-House Review Program” offered by the university should be optional and not a pre-requisite for graduation or completion of the course.”

If CHED Region 6 officials do not know about this, perhaps they’re  hired not on academic capability but on political expediency. As the push comes to shove, the most logical name for this regional office is departamento de los ladrones – a department of thieves. Their injustice to the students is a crime that cries to God for punishment!

Res clamat domino – a thing clamors for its owner. How I wish justice will be served to the students soonest. For CHED officials involved in this mess, I hope to have delivered the spanking you deserved for your stupidity. Make your day in this column, you asked for it. Unlike me who wait for others to make my day!