1.  It is the policy of the State to provide for free public secondary education to all qualified citizens and to promote quality education at all levels. However, Section 6 of R.A. No. 6655 provides the limitation on the availment of free public secondary education, to wit:

Limitation. - The right of any student to avail of free public high school shall terminate if he fails for two (2) consecutive school years in the majority of the academic subjects in which he is enrolled during the course of his study unless such failure is due to some valid cause.

2.  Academic subjects shall refer to all subjects prescribed for a particular curriculum year.  Failure in five or more subject areas per curriculum year for two consecutive school years shall be the basis for the forfeiture of the right to free public secondary education.

3.  Valid cause, as defined in DECS Order No. 44, s. 1988, "means that the circumstances for such failures may be attributed to reasons beyond the students' control, such as illness, family instability, or environmental disturbances" duly certified by authorities concerned.

4.  School principals/administrators shall duly inform parents and students of this policy at least thirty days after the opening of every school year.

5.  It is desired that this Order be immediately disseminated for implementation during the school year 1993-1994.

Adopted: 3 Aug. 1992

(Sgd.) ARMAND V. FABELLA
Secretary