A group of graduating Nursing students of Riverside College in Bacolod City are crying foul after the school administration allegedly refused to let them attend the graduation rites on March 24 for failing to pass the mock Nurse's Licensure Examination given by the school.

Nonita Salapante, mother of one of the graduating students who failed, told the DAILY STAR yesterday she and the other parents were shocked by the school's action because all of them are looking forward to see their children go up on stage and receive their diplomas four days from now.

Salapante said they are saddened by the development because their children, have already complied with all the academic requirements and even paid the graduation fee.

Nursing Dean Luisa Parreñas, in a telephone interview with the DAILY STAR, confirmed that indeed there are some graduating Nursing students who failed in their Integrated Seminar subject, which includes the mock board examination.

But the college, she said, still has to give a removal examination on Wednesday and Thursday.

Parreñas explained that the failing mark received by the students is already the totality of the grades they incurred in the subject, including attendance, quizzes, and exams.

Those who failed will attend an enhancement course during the summer and once they pass the subject, another graduation rites will be held for them on May 31.

But the complaining students, who claimed that the school administration refused to listen to their sentiments during a dialog held yesterday, said that if they will graduate in May 31 yet, they would not be able to take the Nursing Licensure Exam in June.

Parreñas said that during an assembly in June last year, parents were already informed that review classes will be included in the Integrated Seminar subject and that those who will fail the subject cannot graduate.

Now that we meant what we said, they are reacting, she said. "It's for their own good. We're after their welfare," Parreñas said, adding that they imbedded the review classes in curriculum starting school year 2006-2007 so that their Nursing graduates will have greater chances of passing the Nurse's Licensure Examination.

But Salapante said the students, who believe they should be allowed to graduate on Saturday even if they failed the Integrated Seminar subject, want to finish school this March and be given the prerogative of taking the board examination either in June or December.*NLG

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