SOME nursing students of a university in Cagayan de Oro held a protest on Thursday as they criticized the management over alleged “questionable and unjustified evaluation” of some students who are supposed to graduate this month.
The students are also calling for a dialogue with the school administration and the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) to air their side.
The students and their parents rallied against the nursing administration, particularly the clinical instructors and dean, as they cried foul for their alleged “lack of compassion and mercy towards the students.”
It was reported that at least 126 nursing students failed while only more than 80 graduated.
On Thursday, the students aired out their grievances in front of the school while other nursing students were entering the premises for their graduation rites.
Various placards and streamers were posted at the school gate saying “College of Nursing, walay klaro,” “Balhin nata sa XU, Lourdes, COC, CU,” “Nagtarong mi skwela pero walay pulos,” “We paid hard for nothing,” “Kaloy-i among ginikanan,” “Iuli among tuition” and “Walay pulos among paningkamot.”
A student, who refused to be named, said their grades were released very late and that they were just informed that they failed in their subjects.
The student added that the preliminary grades were the only grades they saw.
“We have not seen our grades for the midterm, semifinals and finals. How can we evaluate ourselves in terms of grades if we didn’t see our midterm and semifinal grades?” the student said.
The student added they even paid the graduation fee early and that their parents are expecting they would graduate this month.
“We tried to approach the nursing administration to ask for reconsideration but we just kept on waiting. The office said they will conduct a meeting but nothing has been materialized,” the student said.
Another student said their failure was unjustified and questionable since the teachers didn’t let their questionnaires be seen to prove whether they have failed or not.
The student added that the school was unfair for not giving consideration like what they did last year when there was an alleged “leakage” in the nursing exam and that reconsiderations were given.
“We want to be given the same consideration just like what they gave to the previous batches. This protest is not new to the school since it happened in the previous years, except last year when all students graduated,” the student said.
According to the students, “guided review and duty” were not given simultaneously last year reason why all students graduated.
However, this year, they said “guided review and duty” were given simultaneously, which resulted for the failure of some students.
She said the school reasoned out that there were not enough rooms for guided review.
However, the student alleged that they were forced to sign something that indicated they agree that the grades will not be recomputed.
“It is a burden and pressure for us. We paid more than P30,000 per semester for this course,” one student said.
The students said they tried to bring the case to Ched but the commission said it cannot do anything for the student, only the school.
“We want to have a dialogue with them,” the student added.
This paper is withholding the name of the university until their side is heard.
School officials were not available for interview on Thursday since it was their graduation day.
