Students’ rights and welfare code drafted

CEBU, Philippines — Student leaders from different schools in Cebu City convened and crafted a measure, aiming to safeguard the welfare and protect the students’ rights.

The first ever Students' Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Summit was held at the Montebello Villa Hotel last February 12 to 13.  It was spearheaded by the Cebu City Local Youth Development Office (CCLYDO), which is under the Office of the Mayor.

The summit became an avenue for the students to air their concerns on several issues, including discrimination, freedom of expression, and unjust collection of fees, among others.

Kylle Pulmones, an education student of the University of San Jose- Recoletos, saw the significance of the two-day summit in upholding students’ rights regardless of one’s differences.

"The STRAW Summit ignites our individual passion for students' rights and welfare as we discuss the proposed city ordinance. Thus, student empowerment is very essential in every school to move forward, to have progress, and to achieve greater heights," he said.

For his part, Southwestern University student leader Joseph Christian Hornido found the crafting of the city ordinance timely to address school-related issues.

He said their school publication has been inactive for the past semesters despite the continuous funding.

"As much as we recognize the autonomy of each other (student publication and student council), still there are lines that need to be drawn for the purpose of check and balance. May and when shall the SSG intervene in the matters of the student publication, which has been idle for semesters?” he said.

Once finalized, the draft measure will be submitted to the Cebu City Council’s committee on education chaired by Councilor Joy Augustus Young.

Jess Anthony dela Cruz, the executive director of CCLYDO, said it is vital for the youth to take part in policy making.

"The summit is a great opportunity for the students to lobby their respective issues and concerns affecting them, to give them the chance to participate in solving pressing issues, and to help the government in crafting the Magna Carta for students’ rights," he said.

Aside from crafting a measure, talks from reputable speakers were among the highlights of the summit.

Rosario Pagal from the Department of Education spoke about the Philippine Education System, highlighting the importance of the K to 12 program, the country’s new educational system.

Jamil Faisal Adiong of the Cebu Muslims Students' Association, on the other hand, talked about the peace and anti-discrimination.

"I believe that all the delegates had a common goal of fighting against all forms of discrimination especially in schools, our second home. As a Muslim student, I’m honored to have been given the opportunity to give inputs for the proposed ordinance,” said Adiong.

Adiong’s talk was followed by Khen Aquino, the lead proponent of the University of San Carlos' Magna Carta for Students' Rights and Welfare, who tackled about the rights and welfare of students.

Other resource speakers were Magdalena Robinson of the Cebu City Anti-Discrimination Commission (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) and Mental Health); and Gibby Gorres, communications officer of Senator Risa Hontiveros. —KBQ (FREEMAN)