Academic Policies

  1. Admission Requirements

Anyone wishing to enroll in any course must have the following:

  • Form 137-A/ Form 138
  • Honorable Dismissal (Transferees)
  • Accomplished Pre-Enrollment Form
  • Scholarship and Entrance Exam Result (Pass)

An Admission Committee is created every during the enrolment period to assess the application for admission into any program. The Committee, chaired by the Head of the Institution, is composed of three members of the teaching staff, including the chairperson. It meets during the enrollment period for each semester, and when necessary. The basic assessment criteria includes:  level of academic qualification, area of previous studies in relation to specific areas of study, professional experience, current job position, motivation of the candidate, etc. The Committee mat set up a list of additional criteria which can be revised each year. However, for any given academic year, all applications are assessed on the basis of the same criteria, depending on the program. Based on the pre-set criteria, the applications are evaluated, and grades (pass/fail) are awarded. The grades are recorded in a table form. Each case is discussed and a consensus is arrived at.

2. K+12 Schedule

Pagadian City Chamber School shall adopt a  annual academic year program for all courses. The school shall announce 3 months before the opening of each semester the the academic calendar  for the school year. A semester runs for at least 5 months.

3. Examinations

For each course, there is continuous assessment as well as a final examination. The continuous assessment may earn 40 percent of the final grade, while 60 percent may be awarded for the final 3-hour examination in each course. For a grade below 60 percent in any subject, the trainee is required to take a make-up examination in the second session examination. This is the last chance.

The academic board shall issue rules to be observed by the examiners regarding the method of grading. Exams shall be supervised by an Examiner designated by the Academic board.

  • No student shall be allowed to enter the examination room after the lapse of one third of allocated time.
  • No student shall be allowed to leave the examination room, except in emergency, before the elapse of one third of allocated time.
  • Any student committing irregular disturbances shall be reported to the Academic Board which will take the appropriate decision.
  • Students must ensure that their examination answers must be legible and written on appropriate paper.
  • If the examiner required a legible transcript of the answers, the candidate concerned will bear the cost of doing so.
  • The academic board shall supply the examiners with duplicate copies of mark sheets containing the list of candidates.

Graded answer booklets are strictly confidential and disclosure of grades to a student shall be done in a way which protects the confidentiality of the other candidates’ grades.

4. Attendance

A student’s overall performance may be taken into account for assessing the result of a particular examination. When the performance of the student is adversely affected by medical or other exceptional factors, the candidate may convey the evidence to the Program Coordinator who may make recommendations to the Academic Board to make the appropriate decision.

As a matter of general policy, students must attend at least 60% of all sessions. Teaches, however, are given the freedom to provide exemption to highly-competent students who have already accomplished targeted subjects provided that no student shall be exempted from taking the final exams. Students, cannot, except medical and valid grounds as may be determined by the Academic Board, be absent for 4 consecutive sessions, without prejudice to exemption policies.

5. Grading System

For all courses, the evaluation of trainees or participants is based on participation and assessment exams. An average of at least 60% required for an award of a certificate.

The evaluation scheme is as follows: 

Competent (96 -98) 1.0 PASS

Competent (94-95) 1.25 PASS

Competent (92-93) 1.50 PASS

Competent (90-91) 1.75 PASS

Competent (88-89) 2.0 PASS

Competent (86-87) 2.25 PASS

Competent (84-85) 2.50 PASS

Competent (82-83) 2.75 PASS

Competent (80-81) 3.0 PASS

Not yet Competent (79 below) – 5.0 FAIL

6. Code of Conduct

One of the main thrusts of the institute is to prepare students to become responsible workers and citizens by learning to conduct themselves properly and in accordance with established standards. The Board of Directors of the Pagadian City Chamber School has adopted the following Student Code of conduct which includes the types of misconduct that will subject a student to disciplinary action.

Each student shall be expected to:

  • Abide by national, local laws as well as the rules of the school;
  • Respect the civil rights of others;
  • Act courteously to adults and fellow students
  • Be prompt to school and attentive in class;
  • Work cooperatively with others when involved in accomplishing a common goal, regardless of the other’s ability, gender, race, religion, height, weight, disability or ethnic background;
  • Complete assigned tasks on time as directed;
  • Help maintain a school environment that is safe, friendly and productive.

It is the school administration’s responsibility to provide a safe and orderly learning environment. Discipline is within the sound discretion of the school administration. Due process ensures that disciplinary action is imposed only after review of the facts and/or special circumstances of the situation.

Each of the behaviors described below may subject the student to disciplinary action including suspension and/or expulsion from the institute.

  • Gambling
  • Gangs which initiate, advocate or promote activities which threaten the safety or well-being of persons or which are disruptive to the school environment are not tolerated 
  • Carrying weapons are not allowed within SAI’s premises
  • Smoking is only allowed in designated area 
  • Any student participating in the use, sale, possession or purchase of alcohol, Illegal Drugs, Narcotics, Drug or Alcohol in any form.
  • Physical facilities and equipment should be used with maximum care
  • Damage to any SAI property shall be repaired or replaced at the expense of the person concerned. There may be disciplinary action also.

7. Cell Phones and Electronic Devices

The use of cellphones is prohibited during school hours. Use of electronic devices such as laptops during class must be approved by the teacher.

8. Dress Code

Visitors and authorized day-watch parents / guardians

Visitor or parent ID must be worn at all times. Visitors and authorized parents must comply with the school Dress Code which prohibits the wearing of the following:

  • Slippers or rubber sandals
  • Sando
  • Short pants (male)

Students/ pupils

Students and pupils must wear the authorized uniform for the day as follows:

  • MWF – Type A Uniform
  • Tuesday – Scouting
  • Thursday – PE Uniform

As may be determined by the School administration, the uniform policy shall be strictly enforced after a grace period for uniform acquisition is implemented.  A student not wearing uniform shall be denied entry to the classroom without prior permission from the Principal or any authorized school head.

Parents are advised to monitor the weather and provide their children with raincoats or umbrellas in case of inclement weather. It is advisable to provide extra clothing to pupils especially during their arts and physical activity days.

Appropriate shoes must be worn at all times. Black leather shoes for boys and black doll shoes for girls. Sports shoes for running or football are recommended during activity days or if necessary, as extra shoes.

Students may wear hats, caps, hoodies and other coverings at school but not during class hours. Students should be reminded that wearing these items is a privilege which may be lost if they become a distraction or a problem. Students are discouraged from wearing expensive (signature or designer brands) or flashy clothes, tight-fitting pants/blouses/dresses, mini-skirts, short shorts, blouses with plunging necklines, hip-hop pants for boys, and sleepwear.

Students shall not be prohibited from dressing in a manner consistent with their gender identity or gender expression or with their religious or cultural observances.

9. The ID-Wearing Rule

The student Identification Card (ID) is non-transferable and is an important element in the school’s security system. Every student must help in the effort to keep the campus safe for everyone by displaying his/her SAI ID visibly and clearly on his/her person at all times while inside the Schools premises. Every student ID should have been Validated at the registrar’s office and should be seen with a Validation sticker at all times. Penalties shall be imposed if violations such below are committed:

  1. Wearing the id underneath one’s clothing (shirt, jacket, etc.)
  2. Carrying the id inside a personal article, for example, a bag, notebook or wallet)
  3. Wearing an id which is not validated for the current semester
  4. Tampering with the id card
  5. Using another person’s id or allowing another person to use one’s id.

For one’s protection, the loss of the ID should immediately be reported to the registrar’s office.

Students who forget to bring their ID to school should immediately secure a temporary ID from the registrar’s office before engaging in any school activity. Failure to do so will incur an irrevocable ID-wearing violation when apprehended by campus security personnel. Students who lose there should proceed to the registrar’s office to check if their ID has been recovered. If not found after three (3) days, a replacement ID must be applied for.

10. Gross Misbehavior and Misconduct

The following examples of gross misbehavior or misconduct are against the interests of the school, the student(s) and/or the instructional program and may result in suspension or expulsion, or the case may be referred to the police for legal action. In all cases of gross misbehavior, the procedure may be immediate suspension of a student for a period of one (1) to ten (10) school days during which time, further investigation if the incident will occur, further discipline may occur following the investigation. Confidentiality during the investigation process shall be maintained. 

  • Arson
  • Dangerous and Disruptive Materials
  • Petitions
  • Verbal Abuse
  • Physical assault to an Employee
  • Physical Assault and Fighting between students
  • Vandalism
  • Extortion
  • Unauthorized Protesting
  • Cheating
  • Distribution of Unauthorized materials
  • Classroom Disruptions
  • Knowledge of Dangerous Weapon or Violence
  • Forgery
  • Gambling
  • Indecency
  • Inappropriate Language
  • Inappropriate display of affection
  • Insubordinations
  • Persistent Disobedience
  • Theft and Possession of stolen property
  • Harassment Reporting procedure
  • Possession of deadly weapons-Mandatory Expulsion
  • False Alarms, Threats and Bomb threats
  • Explosives
  • Trespassing
  • Damaging property
  • Unauthorized Use of School Property
  • Refusing to accept discipline
  • Aiding and abetting of Violations of School Rues
  • Video Devices in private places –i.e. CR, Locker rooms
  • Hazing
  • Bullying
  • Criminal Acts
  • Indecent Affair of faculty and students
  • Harassment
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Gender , Ethnic, Religion and Disability Harassment

11. Procedures

Procedures related to student discipline are meant to ensure rationality and order for the members of the Pagadian City Chamber School. The institute recognizes and protects the rights of students to due process, but student disciplinary proceedings are fact finding and recommendatory neither in nature and are not criminal proceedings nor subject to rules of court.

12. Offenses

Students are expected to exercise freedom and maturity in the process of self- development. This entails the ability to distinguish between acts that shall promote their wellbeing as a person and those that subvert this. As a general principle, cases are considered major if any of the following conditions represent: against the laws of the land, endangering the life and safety of the members of the community, recidivistic, or against the core principles of the institute. Students can be suspended, dismissed or expelled for these reasons.

13. Penalties

The penalties can be given by the Pagadian City Chamber School Administrator or the Committee on Discipline after an evaluation not only of the nature of the act, but also of the circumstances surrounding it.

14.a. Penalties for Minor Offenses

  1. For the first commission within one school year:
  2. A violation will be recorded in the student’s name
  3. For second commission within the same school year:
  4. The student is required to submit a written apology to the Pagadian City Chamber School Administrator within one week of the violation date
  5. For the third commission within the same school year:
  6. The student is required to render four hours of mandatory work, which may take the form of community service
  7. For the fourth commission within the same school year:
  8. The student shall be charged with major offense and the case shall be forwarded to the committee on Discipline for hearing

14.b. Penalties for Major Offenses

Major offenses shall warrant one or a combination of the ff. penalties:

  1. Disciplinary probation, the duration and conditions of which shall be determined by the committee on discipline and recommended to the president of the school with automatic suspension for such time as the committee may determine if any condition of probation is violated.
  2. Mandatory Work
  3. Formation sessions
  4. Public reprimand through the posting of a memorandum/notice on the bulletin boards of the Pagadian City Chamber School, and all Pagadian City Chamber School department offices.
  5. Suspension, the period and condition of which shall be determined by the Committee on Discipline and recommended to the president of the school.
  6. Dismissal (Exclusion)
  7. Expulsion

14.c.Other Violations:

  1. First Commission
    1. Oral and written reprimand from the Pagadian City Chamber School Administrator
    2. Written apologies addressed the Pagadian City Chamber School Administrator
  2. School commission
    1. Written reprimand from the Pagadian City Chamber School Administrator. Written apologies addressed to the Pagadian City Chamber School Administrator
    2. Mandatory work, which may take the form of community service
  3. Third and subsequent commission
    1. The student shall be charged with major offense and the case shall be forwarded to the committee on Discipline for hearing.

15. Academic Freedom

The institute recognizes the right of the students to express themselves. With the right of expression comes the responsibility to do it appropriately. Students may distribute or display, at appropriate times, non-sponsored, non-commercial written material and petitions; buttons; or either in signia; clothing signia and banners; and audio and video materials. All items must meet the following school guidelines:

1. A material cannot be displayed if it:

    1.  Is obscene, libelous, indecent or pervasively vulgar;
    2. Advertise any product or service not permitted to minors by law;
    3. Intends to be insulting or harassing
    4. Intends to incite fighting or presents a likelihood or disrupting school or school event,
    5. Prevents a clear and present likelihood that, either because of its content or manner of distribution or display, it causes or us likely to cause a material and substantial disruption to school or school activities, a violation of school regulations, or the commission of an unlawful act.

2. Students who are unsure whether or not the materials they wish to display meet the school guidelines may present them to the school administration 24 hours prior to.

3. All faculty members, students, and non-teaching personnel are encouraged to organize themselves into unions or cooperatives within the bounds of the law. The organization of such groups shall be made with outline privileges, accreditation or recognition procedures, among others. Freedom of the press is likewise recognized by the School provided that the publication of papers or any work that shall bear the emblem, identity or representation of the school must seek prior permission with preclusion to any form of censorship.

16. Access to Library

Our Library is basically intended for students, faculty and research staff. Persons outside the school may also be authorized to use the library under the following conditions:

  • They shall apply to the Librarian designate for membership to the Library;
  • After authorization, they will pay a membership fee in order to obtain Membership and User Card;
  • These cards which are strictly personal, shall be subsequently renewed each year in October through the same procedure.

Opening Hours

The School Library shall be open from Monday to Sunday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. On entering the Library, readers shall be required to leave their briefcases, files, bags and parcels either at the place indicated for this purpose or present them for checking at the exit point on departure. A staff may beat the entrance/ exit and may request users to submit their bags for checking.

Borrowing and Consultation Documents

No books shall be borrowed for use at home in the case of students. Lecturers and researchers may be allowed to take books at home for a maximum period of 3 days only without any extension. Reference books and “detached” delivery documents shall under no circumstances be taken out of the library. Periodicals may only be borrowed under the authorization of the Librarian.

Return of Documents

Any borrowed documents shall be returned in the condition in which it was given to the reader. The reader who returns it in bad condition shall be required to pay for it.