Students continue to campaign for student rights' and welfare

The Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) spearheaded a series of student dialogues in different universities in the National Capital Region to increase awareness about the Student Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Bill.

“The bill which aims to uphold and protect the students’ rights and welfare, was filed last September 18, 2007, and we hope to get the support of the students,” said SCAP’s National Chairperson Mark Roy Boado.

Student councils and political parties in different universities in the National Capital Region (NCR) have conducted fora, round table discussions, and symposia to inform the students of the basic principles of the bill.

“We have already done discussions in De La Salle University Manila, San Juan de Letran University, University of the Philippines, and Rizal Technological University in Mandaluyong. We are aiming to invite the majority of schools nationwide to participate in this campaign,” Boado mentioned.

The struggle to pass the Magna Carta of Students has proven to be an arduous task. Hence, the STRAW Bill is another way to sustain the struggle.

“Right now, we are having a difficulty in raising the awareness and appreciation of the bill in Congress, since the priority of the House is the passage of the Cheaper Medicines Bill now that the budget deliberations are over. However, we will remain insistent on pushing for the bill,” asserts Tina Langit, SCAP NCR Vice Chairperson.

“What is genuinely unique about this bill is that it contains penalty clauses which the other versions of the Magna Carta of Students lack. Aside from that, the STRAW Bill is the only legislative effort of its kind which was created with the help of students themselves. We were very careful as well not to override existing laws which pertain to somehow similar provisions in the STRAW Bill like the Anti-Hazing Act,” Langit added.

The STRAW bill aims to encourage students to practice their rights conscientiously with due consideration and respect for the rights of the other stakeholders within the university. It will protect students from discrimination, harassment, and the curtailment of their rights.

The bill has been receiving a positive response as far as the student sector is concerned. Dialogues with school administrators are also being arranged by the alliance to ensure a participatory process in pursuit of the passage of the bill. ●

14th Congress: Students' Rights and Welfare Bill filed by Akbayan solon

Deputy Minority Leader and Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros filed today the Students' Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Bill , a proposed measure that would hopefully reinvigorate a movement that has always been crucial to Philippine democracy. "From Rizal to Lean Alejandro, the student movement has played an important role in nation-building and democracy. The passion and imagination of students have always fueled struggles for equality and justice, and ironically, the State has been remiss in protecting and promoting their rights and welfare," Rep. Hontiveros said.

Several student leaders from various colleges and universities in NCR accompanied Rep. Hontiveros for the filing of the bill, which essentially affirms the rights and freedoms accorded to students by the Constitution and other international human rights agreements. "Unfortunately, these constitutional guarantees and international human rights protection have not yet found expression in our laws and in the government's programs. The STRAW bill hopes to correct this anomaly by advancing students' rights and welfare through concrete mechanisms and penalties and through the strengthening of our education agencies," Rep. Hontiveros said.

Student leaders welcomed the filing of the measure. "Violations of students' rights and welfare remain rampant, and this is the time for Congress to do its duty to act on a problem that has long been neglected by the government and our legislators," according to Jeff Crisostomo, Chairperson of Akbayan Youth - UP Diliman and a Councilor of the UP Diliman University Student Council.

The bill covers a wide range of protection for students' rights and welfare, including innovative mechanisms that address various issues. "For instance, the bill introduces minimum standards on consultation of students and parents for tuition and school fee increases. Furthermore, it expands the regulatory powers of CHED, Dep Ed, and TESDA to ensure that in private and public schools and universities, the rights and welfare of students are protected," Rep. Hontiveros said.

Meanwhile, Bianca Lapuz of the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) said that the penalties imposed under the bill would guarantee that school authorities would respect students' rights and welfare. "School administrators and also students who will violate to the provisions of this Bill will be accordingly sanctioned to make sure that every student would be able to enjoy and exercise the rights and freedoms accorded to him or her by the Constitution," Lapuz said.

The bill likewise recognizes that even students may be penalized for violating students' rights and welfare. "Under the bill, student organizations that impose stiff membership fees or unnecessary membership requirements like hazing may be penalized," Rep. Hontiveros said.

"We urge Congress to act on the bill with due haste. After failing to approve the Magna Carta for Students for several years, Congress has the obligation to pass the STRAW bill immediately," Crisostomo and Lapuz added, saying that student councils worked closely with Akbayan for the crafting of the bill. ●