Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros has formally filed a legislative measure aimed at dismantling a long-standing barrier to education: the practice of schools withholding student records due to unsettled tuition fees.
Senate Bill No. 1964, or the proposed Right to Student Records Act, seeks to mandate educational institutions to release official documents, including transcripts and diplomas, provided that the student or their family can prove they are financially incapacitated.
The bill addresses growing concerns regarding students who are left in academic limbo—unable to transfer to other schools, apply for jobs, or graduate—simply because they cannot settle their outstanding balances.
“This measure empowers parents, guardians, students, and former students to file written complaints before the appropriate educational authorities,” Hontiveros said in her explanatory note.
Oversight and Enforcement
The proposed law does not merely set a standard but establishes a framework for accountability. It grants regulatory bodies the teeth to ensure schools follow the mandate.
“(It also) institutionalizes the authority of the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to investigate violations, impose administrative penalties, and monitor the compliance of educational institutions to ensure the Act is fully implemented,” she added.
A Balanced Approach
Acknowledging the financial viability of private schools, Hontiveros clarified that the bill is not a “free pass” for nonpayment.
The measure explicitly states that educational institutions retain the right to pursue legal and lawful means to collect debts.
“Equally important is ensuring that private educational institutions are paid these outstanding balances in order to sustain their operations,” the senator said.
To bridge the gap between student needs and institutional rights, the bill introduces a student records assistance mechanism.
This verified assistance would cover unpaid tuition and authorized fees required for the release of records. Under the proposal, this aid:
- Can be availed of only once per student.
- Will be paid directly to the educational institution to ensure transparency.
By providing a middle ground, the measure aims to protect the student’s right to progress while respecting the operational requirements of the country’s private education sector.