MANILA, Philippines – For underprivileged incoming college freshmen, the cost associated with taking entrance exams is really an added financial burden.
There’s no need to worry anymore.
A bill mandating private colleges and universities to waive fees for their entrance exams is now a law.
The Free College Entrance Examinations Act or Republic Act 12006 lapsed into law on June 14. It exempts underprivileged but smart students from payment of entrance examination fees administered by private schools.
However, to avail of the exemption, a student must meet the following conditions:
According to the new law, the Commission on Higher Education is authorized to sanction any private school that will not comply.
“Certain entrance exam fees are equivalent to a day’s minimum wage, which means that taking the exam could result in foregoing meals for an entire family. Hopefully, the new law will address this issue. No family should go hungry for a day because they’ve traded food money for an examination fee,” said Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
College entrance test fees in the country range from P300 to P800.
Below is the copy of RA 12006.
– Rappler.com
