R e publicof the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City

F OURTEENTHCONGRESS
Second RegularSession

H OUSEBILL NO

(ln substitutionof HouseBill Nos.332,2520and 2584)

Introducedby Reps. Edcel G. Lagman,Rufus B. Rodriguezand Ana TheresiaHontiveros-

Baraquel

AN ACT
PROVIDING
FORA MAGNACARTAOF STUDENTS

Be it enactedby the Senafeand House of Representatives

of the Philippinesrn Congress
assemb/ed

I Section1. ThisActshallbe knownas the"MagnaCartaof Students."

2
3 Sec. 2. Declarationof Policy. - The State:
.+ ( a ) Declaresits commitment
to protectand promotethe rightsand welfareof Filipinostudentsin
5 accordance with severalinternational humanrightsagreements, includingthe International
6 Convention on Civil and PoliticalRights,International Convention on Economicand Social
7 Rights,the Universal Declaration on HumanRights,International Convention on the Rightsof
8 theChild,andtheConvention on the Elimination of All Formsof Discrimination AgainstWomen;
9 (b) Declares its commitment to protectand promote the physical, mental,spiritual, intellectual
and
10 socialwell-being of theyouth;
11 (c) Declares its commitment to promotethe rightsof all citizensregardless of sexualorientation,
12 creed,socio-economic status,physical condition, politicalandreligious beliefsor affiliation;
1a
IJ (d) Declaresits commitment to protectand promotethe rightsof studentsto enablethem to
1:+ participate activelyand effectively in the democraticprocessesof effectingprogressive and
15 developmental changes in society;
l6 (e) Recognizes thateducation is a rightandas suchit canonlybe exercised andenjoyed fullyin a
t7 climatewhere the rightsand welfareof studentsand young Filipinosare promotedand
18 protected;
l9 (f) Acknowledges thateducation is an important institutionin ensuring thatall Filipinosare ableto
20 participate fullyin nation-building andthe societyand in inculcating patriotismand nationalism,
21 criticaland creative thinking, and valuesnecessary to promotecivilliberties, humanrightsand
22 fundamental freedoms;
LJ
.\^
(g) Affirmsthat studentshavethe rightto meaningful participation in decision-making processes
/,+ insideand outsideeducational institutions,
especially in the craftingandformulation of polices
25 affectingstudents,and the promotion of this rightis an integralpartof the nation'sdemocratic
26 processes;
 2

I (h) Affirmsthatthefundamental rightto expressionof students,andsuchrightshallbe unabridged

2 andautonomous fromtheinfluences of educational
institutions;and
3 (i) Affirmsthe students'right to organize,which encompasses the rightto establishstudent
4 organizations,
studentunions, andstudent councilsand governments.

6 Sec. 3. Guiding Principles.- ThisAct declaresthe followingas basicguidingprinciples:

7
8 (a) The formaleducationalsystembeingthe principalinstitutional mechanismfor imparting
9 knowledgeand developingskills shall be given priorityattentionand supportby the
l0 g o v e r n me n t.
1l (b) Educationis a right and not a mere privilege.lt is thereforethe responsibility of the
12 Stateto providequalityeducationaccessible to all.
13 (c) Studentorganizations enhancedemocraticprocesseson the campus.Membershipand
l-+ activeparticipation in studentorganizations, alliancesand federationswhich promote
15 and protect students'rightsand welfareand/orcontributeto nationaldevelopmentshall
16 be guaranteedby the Stateand schoolauthorities.
17 (d) Studentorganizations shall not be subjectto rulesand regulations that undulyhamper
18 theiractivitiesand are prejudicial to theirobjectivesand interests.
19 (e) Studentcouncils/governments beingthe most representative of the studentryand the
20 highestexpressionof studentpoweron the campusshallhavethe rightto participatein
l1 the formulationof schoolpoliciesdirectlyaffectingstudents.
22 (0 Student publicationsshall serve as the principal medium for free expression,
23 disseminationof information,and interactionamong the differentsectors of the
24 academiccommunity.
25 (g) With their democraticrightsguaranteed,studentscan serve as a potentand cogent
26 force in the country'nationalist socialtransformation.
27
28 SEC.4. Definitionof Terms.- As used in thisAct, the followingtermsshallmean:
?.9
30 (a) Student"- any person enrolledin school in the secondary,post secondary,tertiary,
3l graduate and postgraduateincluding those enrolled in vocational and technical
32 education.
33 (b) "School"- any private,public or government-run and funded academiceducational
34 institution
offeringany or all coursesin the above-mentioned levels.
35 (c) "SchoolCampus"- the totalityof all contiguousor proximatebuildings,groundsand
36 other facilitiesdesignatedby the schoolauthoritiesas areas or facilitiesfor the use of
37 theirstudents.
38 (d) "GoverningBoard"- the highestpolicymakingbody of the schoolsuch as: Board of
39 Directors,Trusteesor Regents.
40 (e) "StudentCouncil/Government" - the body representing the wholestudentpopulation
4l in one schoolor schoolcampuswhoseofficersare annuallyelectedat largeby the
42 wholestudentpopulationpursuantto its constitution and by-laws,if any.
43 (f) "Councilof Leaders"- the bodycomposedof the headsof variousstudent
44 organizations chairedby the President/Chairman of the StudentCouncil.
45 (g) "TuitionFee"- The fee representing directcostsof instructions,
trainingand other
46 relatedactivities,and the use of schoolfacilities.The term "other school fees" refersto
47 fees which cover other necessary costs supportiveof instruction,includingbut not
48 limitedto medicaland dental,athletic,library,laboratory,and NationalStudentTraining
49 Program(NSTP)fees.
 l

1
2 CHAPTERII
3 R I G H TT O A D MIS S IONN, ON.DISCRIM INATION
AND QUALITYEDUCATI ON
4
5 SEC. 5. Admission and Non-Discrimination(a) No studentshallbe deniedadmission,
6 expelledfrom an educationalinstitution,
punishedwith disciplinaryaction,includingmandatory
7 counseling,or deniedwelfareservices,scholarshipsand otherprivilegeson the basisof his/her
8 physical handicap,socio-economicstatus, politicalor religiousbeliefs, or shall pregnant
9 studentsand certifiedreformeddrug abusersbe discriminatedagainst.
10
11 Failureof or refusalby a studentto sign waiver documentspreparedby the school
12 a d m i n i s t r a t i osh
n a l ln o t co n sti tu te
a g r oundfor his/hernon- adm ission.
l3
11 A studentshall have the right to freelychoose his/herfield of study subjectto existing
15 curriculaand to continuehis/hercourseup to graduationexceptin case of academicdeficiency
16 or violationof disciplinary
regulations
whichdo not infringeuponthe exerciseof students'rights.
17
18 SEC. 6. Right to Competent lnstruction and Relevant Quality Education. - Every
19 studentshall have the right to competentinstructionand qualityeducationrelevantto his/her
l0 personaland culturaldevelopmentand that of the nation,and commensurate to the schoolfees
11 paid, and for state institutions,public subsidiesgranted.To achievethis goal, schoolsand
22 educationalinstitutionsare requiredto enforce a written evaluationof the performanceof
23 teachersby studentsat the end of the schoolterm.
)1
25 There shall be at least one student representative
in the body or committeewhich
26 screensincomingfacultymembers.He/sheor they shall be regularlyelectedand endorsedby
27 the StudentCouncilto the schoolofficialauthorizedto appointthe membersof the screening
28 body or committee.
29
30 Studentsshall have the right to make a writtenevaluationof the performanceof their
3l teacherstowardthe end of the schoolterm.

33 SEC. 7. Rightto AdequateWelfare Seruices and Academic Facilities.- lt shall be the

3.1 responsibilityof the school administrationto provide the studentswith adequatewelfare
35 servicesand academicfacilitiescommensurate to the schoolfees paid,and for StateColleges
36 a n d U n i v e r si ti eps,u b l i csu b si d i e g
s ranted.
aa

:S Schoolauthoritiesshallendeavorto providefree annualphysicalcheck-upto students.lt

39 shall be the responsibility
of school authoritiesto providestudentswith adequatelaboratory,
/+0 library,research,recreationand physicaleducationfacilities.
,+1
42 Denialof accessto adequatewelfareservicesand academicfacilitiesshall be prohibited.
43 Theseservicesand facilitiesshallincludethe following:
44
45 (a) Freeannualphysicalcheck-upto the students;
46 (b) Legal assistancein cases involvingthe exerciseand enjoymentof rights and freedoms
47 stipulatedin thisAct;
48 (c ) C o u n s e l i n g ;
49 (d) Adequatelaboratory, library,research,recreationand physicaleducationfacilities;
 L

I (e) Communications systemto ensurethat studentsare promptlynotifiedof lettersand other

2 relevantinformation;
and
3 (f) Adequate,safeand cleanhousingfacilities,such as dormitories, for studentsinside
4 campuses.In case the schoolhas no in-campusdormitoriesor housingfacilities,the school
5 administration and the'studentcouncilor governmentshall be requiredto accreditout-of-
mpusdormitories. Studentsshallbe encouragedto stay in the accrediteddormitories.
2 "
8 CHAPTERIII
9 RIGHTTO ORGANIZE
l0
11 SEC. 8. Right to Organize Among Themselyes. Unity and collectiveeffort being
12 fundamentalto the realizationof commongoals and the promotionand protectionof common
13 interests,the Staterecognizes
the rightof studentsto organizeamongthemselves.
ll
l+

l5 (a) The right of studentsto form, assist or join organizations, alliance,or federations
16 along their physical,intellectual, moral,cultural,civic,spiritual and politicalinterests
17 s h a lln o t b e a b ri d g e d .
18 ( b ) T h e O f f i c e o fS t u d e n t A f f a i r isn, c o o r d i n a t i o n w i t h t h e s t u d e n t c o uonrcgi ol v e r n m e n t ,
19 shall take charge in the accreditationof studentorganizations. The guidelinesfor
l0 accreditation of studentorganizations shall be formulatedby the studentcounciland
21 the headsof all studentorganizations.
22 (c) The Officeof StudentAffairsshallhavethe mandateto implementthe guidelinesand
2i mediatein conflictsemergingfrom the accreditation process.Accreditation of student
24 organizations shallbe granteduponthe submissionof a formalletterof application for
25 accreditation, constitution, list of activities,and list of officers.The Officeof Student
26 Affairsmay imposesanctionson inactiveorganizations.
27 (d) The Officeof StudentAffairsshallcoordinateon and off campusactivitiesof student
28 organizations.
29 (e) The schooladministration shallendeavorto provide,free of charge,a hall or building
30 to house the offices of student organizationswithin the premisesof the school.
31 Furthermore,whenever possible the school administrationshall allow student
32 organizations to use schoolfacilitiesfree of charge;
33 (f) Acts that impairthe rightof studentsto organizeare prohibited:
31 1 . S i g n i n g o f w a i ve rs or similar docum entsthat use m ember shi pto any
35 organizationas a basis for admissionto or expulsionfrom schools,including
36 the impositionof disciplinaryactions;
37 2. lmpositionof unreasonablerequirementson student organizationsseeking
38 re co g n i ti o n ;
39 3. discriminatorypoliciesin the assignmentof school facilitiesand in granting
40 otherprivilegesto studentorganizations;
41 4. Excessivechargesfor the use of schoolfacilities;
42 5. Excessivefees imposedby studentorganizations to members;and
43 6. lmposition of unnecessary requirementsfor admission and continued
44 membershipto a studentorganizationincluding,but not limitedto, hazingor
45 otheracts prohibitedunderRA 80499or the Anti-hazinglaw.
16
47 SEC. 9. Right fo esfablish a student council or government. - The State shall ensure
48 the existenceof democraticand autonomousstudentcouncils/governments. Pursuantthereto:
49
 )

1 (a)Thereshallbe one (1) university studentcouncilor government for eachschool,college,

2 or university campusthat shallbe recognized by the schools,collegesand universities
J concerned. lt shallhaveitsownsetof officers electedin annualpopularelections.
4 (b)Thereshallbe a Constitution or Charterof the StudentCouncilor Government craftedby
5 the heador representatives of all studentorganizations in a schooland ratified througha
6 two-thirds (2/3)vote by the studentbodythat shalllay downthe organization, functions
7 and responsibilities of the studentcouncilor government. Representation for unorganized
8 studentsshallbe ensuredfor the craftingof a draftconstitution or charter.
9 (c) Everystudentcouncilor government shallhavethe rightto determineits policiesand
t0 programson studentactivities subjectto the StudentCouncilor Government charterr
11 constitution and to schoolrulesand regulations provided thatthe latterdoesnot infringe
t2 on basicrightsandfreedomof students; students;
13 (d)Thereshallbe an independent Commission on Elections (COMELEC) thatshalloversee
t4 the honest,orderly,and peacefulconductof electionof officersof the studentcouncilor
15 government. The COMELECshallbe chosenfrom a list of nomineesprovidedby the
16 heads of studentorganizations. The school must providesufficientfunds to the
17 COMELEC to ensurethatit is ableto function;
18 (e)Thereshallbe a fee to be collected to financethe operations of the studentcouncilor
19 . government, the amount of which shall be determinedby the studentcouncilor
t0 governmentin consultation with the studentbody. The schooladministration shall
21 facilitate
the collection of the studentcouncilor government withinfifteen(15)daysafter
?) the startof the semester or schoolperiod.Thegovernments to joinfederations or student
/) councilor government shallissueto the studentbodya financialreportat the end of its
24 term.To takeeffect,a proposal to increase the studentcouncilor government fee shall
25 requirea voteof simplemajority by the studentbody.
26 (f) No policyrestricting the rightof studentcouncilsor governments to join federationsor
27 alliancesof student councilsor governmentsshall be imposedby the school
28 administration.
29
30 SEC. 10. Recognitionof and Grantingof Privilegesfo StudentOrganizations,- No
-1
JI unreasonable
requirementsshallbe imposedon studentorganizations
seekingrecognition.
J/.

JJ The guidelines
concerning recognition
shallbe formulated
by the Students
AffairsOffice
34 in consultation
withthe studentcouncil
35
36 The processfor seeking recognitionshall begin upon the submissionto the Student
37 AffairsOfficeby the organization concernedof its (1) conceptpaperand constitution;and two
38 (2) a formal letteraddressedto the StudentAffairsOfficestatingthe organization'sintentto be
39 recognized.Recognition will be grantedby the StudentAffairsOfficeupon compliancewith the
.+0 gui d e l i n e s .
41
^.\
+L At the tertiarylevel,the studentcouncilin coordinationwith the school studentaffairs
43 officeshalltake chargeof the accreditation
of studentorganizations.The guidelinesconcerning
44 accreditationshall be formulatedjointly by the student council and the council leaders
15 composedof the heads of the differentorganizations. The studentcouncilshall overseethe
46 implementation of theseguidelinesand mediatein instancesof conflicts.
47
48 Thereshall be no discriminationin the assignmentof schoolfacilitiesand the grantingof
49 other privilegesto studentorganizations.The schooladministrationshall endeavorto provide,
 6

1 free of charge,a hall or buildingto housethe officesof the differentstudentorganizations

to use
2 school facilitiesfree of charge. Excessivechargesfor the use of school facilitiesshall be
3 pro h i b i t e d .
I
+
5 SEC. 11. Coordination of Student Organizations' Activities. - All on and off campus
6 activitiesof studentorganizations
shallbe coordinated
of the studentcouncil/government.

8 The Committeeon Elections(COMELEC)constitutedto conduct the electionof the

9 officersof the studentcouncil/government
shallbe composedsolelyof bonafide studentsof the
10 school.The conductof the studentcouncilelectionshallbe held in coordination
with the student
11 affairsoffice.
1l
13 S E C . 1 2 . S c h o o l F e e s a n d O t h e r T a r i f f s .- W i t h i n t h i r t y ( 3 0 )d a y s f r o m t h e s t a r t o fa
14 schoolyear the governingboardof everyschoolshallcreatea bodyto be knownas the School
15 Fee Board which shall study, conductconsultationand thereafterrecommendon tuitionand
16 otherschoolfee adjustments. At the tertiarylevelthis body shallbe composedof equal number
17 of representativesfrom the administration,academic and nonacademic personnel,
l8 parents/guardians, studentsand alumni associations.These representatives shall choose a
19 chairpersonfrom among themselves.Greaterrepresentation shall be given to parentsthan to
l0 studentsin the secondarylevel.
t1
22 In justifyingany tuition and/or school fee increasebefore the School Fee board,the
li schoolconcernedshallbe requiredto presentthe school'sfinancialstatementsfor the lastfive
l-+ (5) years immediatelyprecedingthe proposal for such increase. Refusal of the school
25 administrationto show its booksand recordsfor inspectionby the SchoolFee Boardshallmean
26 automaticdenialof its proposalfor increases.
27
28 The School Fee Board shall not act on a proposalto increaseschoolfees unlessthe
29 studentsand their parentsare consultedat least one hundredtwenty (120) days beforethe
30 schoolyear,semesteror term in whichthe increaseis to be effected.
11

32 In the event the decisionof the School Fee Board is not favorablyacted upon by the
33 schoolgoverningboard,the latter'sdecisionmay be appealedby any affectedmemberof the
3-+ school communityto the appropriateeducationagencieswithin thirty (30) days from date of
35 noticeof decision.
36
37 No studentor parent shall be requiredto sign any contractor agreementrespecting
38 adjustmentsin tuitionand otherfees as a conditionfor enrollmentrequiredto sign any contract
39 or agreementrespectingadjustmentsin tuitionand otherfees as a conditionfor enroilmentor
,+0 for any otherpurpose.
;+1
12 For purposes of this section, "Consultation"shall mean disseminationof adequate
,13 informationrelativeto tuitionand otherschoolfees,the increasesthereof,objectionsthereto,or
14 the justificationsthereforeand shall includebut not be limitedto the holdingof meetingsand
;15 hearingsconductedfor consultationpurposesshall be properlydocumentedand circulated.To
16 this end, no tuitionor otherschoolfee increaseshallbe allowedunlessthe followingprocedures
17 are observed:
48 1.) Postingof noticeof increasein tuitionor otherschoolfees in conspicuouslocationsa
49 year prior to the implementationof the proposed increase.The heads of student
 7

1 organizations and studentcouncilor governmentofficersshall also be directlynotified

2 aboutthe proposedincrease.
3 2.) At leastone public meetingshallbe heldwith students,headsof studentorganizations
4 and studentcouncilor governmentofficersto discussthe proposedincrease.This shall
5 be attendedby the Presidentof the schooland at leastone memberof the governing
6 board.Parentsof studentsshallbe allowedto attendthe publicmeetings.
7 3.) All documentspertainingto the proposedincreaseshall be made availableto the
8 studentcouncilor government.
9
10 Priorto the final approvalof the proposedincrease,the studentbody shall be allowedto
11 presenttheirpositionto the governingboardon the proposedincrease.
12
13 All involuntarycontributions, exceptthose approvedby their own studentorganizations,
1- + s h a l lb e p r o h i bi te d .
15
16 In releasing documents,academic records, and similar certifications,schools are
17 prohibitedfrom imposingfees beyondthe actualcost of reproducing the documents.
18 Minimumstandardsin consultation shallbe strictlyobservedin imposingtuitionfee increases.
t9
20
11 SEC. 13. Prohibition Against the Use of Force and Exaction of Excessiye Fees. All
ll campus organizationsshall be prohibitedfrom using force in initiationand from exacting
li excessivefees from theirmembers,as well as in theirotheractivities.
t-+
]5 CHAPTERIV
26 RIGHTTO PRTICIPATE
IN POLICYMAKING
27
28 Sec. 14. Representation in Policy-Making Process. - There shall be a student
29 representative in the GoverningBoardof the school.The chairman/president of the student
30 councilor any designated representativechosenby the headsof variouslocalcollegestudent
3l councilsshallbe the studentrepresentativeandshallhavethe samerightsas thoseof a regular
aa
J/ member.Provided, thathis/herprivileges
shallbe limitedto reimbursements
for actualexpenses
JJ incurredin attendingmeetingsof the aforementioned further,that the same
body:Provided,
1l
J+ rightsshallbe grantedto thesecondary level.
35
36 The students
shallalsobe representedin otherpolicymakingbodieswhichdirectlyaffect
)/ their welfare,especiallyin curriculum
drafting,reviewand revision,studentdiscipline,
and
38 academic standards.
The representatives
shallbe designatedby the studentcouncil;
and
39
40 Representatives shallactivelyparticipate
of nationalstudentorganizations and possess
4l votingpowersin the formulationof nationalpoliciesby governmental agencieson matters
,1')
'+L affecting
students'
rightsandwelfareincludingtuition.
4-
+-)

14 SEC.15. Students'lnitiativeand Referendum.- The studentcouncil/government through

45 a majorityvoteof all its membersshallhavethe rightto initiatethe formulation,
modification
or
16 rejectionof a school policy affectingthe students.The propositionfor the formulation,
47 modificationor rejectionof a schoolpolicyaffectingthe studentsshall be submittedto and
 8

1 approvedby the majorityof the votes cast by all the bona fide studentsof the school in a
2 referendumcalledfor the purpose.

4 The followingareas shall be excludedfrom the power of students on initiativeor

5 referendum:(a) admission;(b) curriculum;(c) faculty recruitmentand tenure; (d) rules on
6 studentconductand discipline;(e) tuitionfees; and scholasticrules(e.9.academiccreditsand
7 retentionand graduationof students).
8
9 SEC. 16. Right to File an Appeal.- The studentcouncil/government througha majority
10 vote of all its membersshall have the rightto file an appealon a decisionof any policymaking
l1 body subordinate to the governingboard.Suchappealshallbe filedwith the governingboard.
12.
13 The studentcouncil/government with the same requisitenumberof votes referredto in
1.1 the previousparagraph on any decisionof the governing
may file a motionfor reconsideration
15 board.
16
17 In case of any decisionunfavorableto the students,the StudentCouncilmay file an
l8 appeal with the Departmentof Education(DepED), the Technical Educationand Skills
19 Development Authority(TESDA)and the Commissionon HigherEducation(CHED),insofaras
20 the secondary,post-secondary and tertiary students,respectively,are
technical-vocational,
21 concerned.
22
l3 All appealsand motionsfor reconsiderationreferredto in the previousparagraphmust
l-+ be filedwithinthirty(30)calendardaysfrom date of noticeof decision.

t6
27 CHAPTERV
28 R I G H TT O F R E EE X P R E S S S ION AND RIGHTTO ACADE M IC
AND INFORM ATION
29 FREEDOM
30
3i Sec. 17. Right to lnformation. - The right of the studentsto informationon matters
32 directlyor indirectlyaffectingtheir welfareshall be recognized.Access to officialrecordsand
33 other pertinentdocumentsand paperspertainingto officialacts,transactionsor decisionsshall
31 be affordedthe studentssubjectonly to reasonableregulationshat may be imposedsuch as
35 time for examiningthe documentsand otherpapersto preventlossor damageof the same.
i6
37 SEC. 18. Freedomof Expression.- Subjectto existinglaws, studentsshall have the
38 rightto freelyexpresstheirviewsand opinions.They shallhavethe rightto peaceablyassemble
39 and petitionthe governmentand schoolauthoritiesfor the redressof theirgrievances.Pursuant
40 thereto, no school regulationshall be imposedviolatingor abridgingthe students'right to
4I as s e m b l y .
42
43 Studentsshall have accessto print and broadcastmedia in their informationactivities.
11 posters,wall
They shallalso havethe rightto print,circulateandiormountleaflets,newsletters,
.+5 news, petitionsand such other materials.Pursuant thereto,
the school shall ensure
authorities
46 the provisionof facilitiessuch as bulletinboards for the mountingof the aforementioned
47 materials.
48
 9

1 School authoritiesmay designatea certainarea on every campus as a freedom park

2 where studentscan freelydiscussissuesdirectlyand indirectlyaffectingthem, expresstheir
a
J grievancesor organizeactivities.
4
5 SECTION 19. Right to Publish a Student Newspaper and Other Similar
6 Publications. Students have the right to publish student newspapersand other similar
7 publications,print in their pages materialswhich they deem in pursuanceof their academic
8 freedom and freedom of expressionin accordancewith RepublicAct 7079 or the Campus
9 JournalismAct of 1991. Pursuantthereto,the editorialstaff of the studentpublicationshall be
10 composedof students.No personwho is not a memberof the publicationshall determineits
11 content.The role of the faculty adviser in the student paper shall be limited to technical
12 assistance.
la
IJ

t -l and the membersof the editorialboardshall

The selectionof the studentEditor-in-Chief
15 be conductedannuallythrougha fair and competitiveexaminationto be administeredby an
16 impartialBoardof Judges,whichshall be composedof professionaljournalists,representatives
17 from the faculty,the studentbody.
l8
19 The editorialstaff shall observethe ethics of professionaljournalism.lt shall be the
20 of the editorialstaff to ensurethat the studentpaper is not used for purposes
responsibility
2l contraryto law.
22
a -'\ staff shall, unless sooner removedfor cause and with due
The editor-in-chief/editorial
1.'l
-a process,be assuredof securityof tenurefor the durationof his/her/itsprescribedterm. And
t5 editorialstaffshallbe assuredof securityof tenurefor the durationof his/herprescribedterm,
26
27 The studentpublicationshallbe financiallyautonomousfrom the schooladministration. A
28 fee for studentpublicationshall be collectedfrom studentsand shall be held in trust by the
29 schooladministration. No policyshall be imposedby the schooladministration to hamperthe
30 accessof the editorialboardto the studentpublicationfund, subjectto existingregulationin the
31 disbursementof funds. The school administrationshall also be prohibitedfrom using the
)/ aforementioned fund. At the end of each term, the editorialboard shall publisha financial
1a
-)-) statement.
.A
J+
35 SEC. 20. Academic Freedom - Students'academic freedom shall consistof, but shall
36 not be limitedto, the followingrights:
-- 1) / (a) To conduct researchin connectionwith academicwork, and to freely discussand
i8 p u b l i s hth e i rfi n d i n g sa n d re com m endations;
39 (b) To conductinquiryin curricularand extracurricular activitieswithinthe campusand in
.+0 appropriatecircumstances;
.11 (c) To choose a field of study for researchand to pursue the quest for truth; to express
A1
.+ /- their opinionon any subjectof publicor generalconcernwhich directlyor indirectly
13 affectsthe studentsor the educationalsystem;
44 (a) To inviteoff-campusspeakersor resourcepersonsto student-sponsored assemblies,
45 fora,symposia,and otheractivitiesof similarnature;
46 (b) To express contrary interpretationor dissentingopinions inside and outside the
17 classroom;
.+8 (c) To participatein the draftingof a new curriculumand in the reviewor revisionof the old;

9
 0

I (d) To participatein the draftingand/orrevisingof the studenthandbookwhichshall include

2 the schoolrulesand regulations, a copy of which shall be furnishedthe students upon
3 admissionto the school;and
4 (e) To be free from any form of indoctrination
leadingto imposedideological hegemony.

6
7 CHAPTERVI
8 R IGH TT O D U E P R OCESSIN DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS
9
l0 SEC. 21. Right to Due Process. - The right to due processof studentssubjectedto
II disciplinary proceedings shallbe observedand respected.
12
13 (a) He shall have the rightto defend himself,to be heard and to presentevidenceon his
14 behalfbeforean impartialbody.
15 (b) There shall be an independentStudentDisciplinaryBoard to be composedof one (1)
16 representative from the school administration, two (2) faculty members,and two (2)
17 studentsto conduct investigations into and decide on cases of studentviolationsof
18 disciplinarystandards.The memberfrom the administration shall serye for five years,
19 the membersfrom the facultyfor three years,and the membersfrom the studentbody
l0 for one year. The facultyand studentrepresentatives shall be endorsedby the student
I1 council/government. The StudentDisciplinaryBoard shall formulatethe guidelinesfor
ll the impositionof the disciplinary proceedings
ll (c) The blacklisting, expulsion,suspensionand other such disciplinarysanctionsthat may
l-+ be taken againsta studentshall not be valid unless the followingrights have been
25 observedand accordedthe students.
26
27 l.) The right to be informedin writingof the natureand cause of the accusationagainst
28 h i m / h e r;
29 2.) The right to confrontwitnessagainsthim/herand to full accessto the evidencein the
30 case;
3l 3.) The rightto defendhimself/herself and to be defendedby a representative or counselof
32 his/her choice, adequatetime being given to him/her for the preparationof his/her
33 defense;
34 4.) The rightto a hearingbeforethe StudentDisciplinary Board;
35 5 . ) T h e r i g h ta g a i n stse l f-i n cri mi nation;
36 6.) The rightto appealadversedecisionof the StudentDisciplinary Boardto the governing
37 boardand ultimately to the appropriate educationagencies;and
38 7.) The rightto confidentiality.
39
-+0 (d) The decisionin any disciplinaryproceedingmust be renderedon the basis of relevant
41 and substantialevidencepresentedat the hearing,or at the least containedin the record
42 and disclosedto the student affected.The deciding body should, in all controversial
43 questions,renderits decisionin such a mannerthat the issuesinvolved,and the reasonsfor
44 any decisionrenderedare madeclearto the student.
45
46 (e) Subjectto existinglaws, a decisionon a case or complaintfiled before the Student
47 Disciplinary Tribunalshall be resolvedwithinthree (3) monthsafterthe filingof such a case
48 o r c o m p l a in t.

l0
 I (f) The Officeof the GuidanceCounselorof the respectiveschoolsin consultationwith the
2 StudentDisciplinary Boardshallpublishon a periodicbasisactsthat are deemedviolativeof
3 the schoolrulesand regulationsand the correspondingdisciplinary
sanctions.Provided,that
4 such rules and regulationsdo not violate the rights guaranteedherein and under the
5 Constitution.
6
7 CHAPTERVII
8 OTHERRIGHTS
9
10 SEC. 22. Right Against Unreasonable Searchesand Seizures.- Every studentshall
l1 be free from any form of unreasonable searchand seizure.Exceptfor the followinginstances,
12 no searchor seizureof a studentshallbe deemedvalid:
13 (a) Searchesmadeat the pointof ingressand egressby authorizedpersonnelof the school;
14 (b) Searches and seizuresof illegal article or articlesfalling in the plain view of duly
15 authorizedpersonnel;
16 (c) Searches and seizures of articlesthat are illegal,discoveredinadvertentlyby duly
17 a u t h o r i ze p
d e rso n n e l ;
18 (d) Searches made when the student is about to commit, is committingor had just
19 committeda crimeor a seriousinfractionof the school'srulesand regulations;
20 (e) Searchesmadewith a validsearchwarrant.
2l
22 Articlesseizedin violationof the here above-mentioned
providedrightsshallshallnot be
23 used as evidenceagainstthe studentin any disciplinaryaction that may be broughtagainst
24 him / h e r .

26 SEC. 23. Access fo School Records and lssuance of Official Certificates. Subject to
27 the provision of the followingsection,every studentshall have accessto her/hisown school
28 record,the confidentiality of which the schoolshall maintain.He/sheshall have the rightto be
29 issuedofficialcertificates, diplomas,transcriptof records,grades,transfercredentialsand other
30 similardocumentswithinthirty (30) days from the filing of requestand accomplishment of all
3l p e r t i n e n t r e q ui re me n ts.
aa

33 SEC.24. Unpaid TuitionFeesand Examination.- No studentshallbe prohibited from

34 takinga periodicor finalexaminationbecauseof unpaidtuitionand otherfees not exceeding
35 two (2) installments termsof paymentprescribed
underthe established by the schoolconcerned
36 andapproved by the appropriate
education
agency.
.a

:S Studentswith delinquentfees permittedto take an examinationshall neverthelessbe

39 subjectto the rightof the schoolconcernedto withholdthe releaseor issuanceof such students'
40 school records or of the documentsmentionedin the precedingsection or to deny such
4l students'admissionat the next succeedingterm or year untilthe prior delinquencies are fully
42 paid.
n a't
r+

14 SEC. 25. Securityof Tenure.ltshallbe the rightof studentsto finishtheirentirecourses

.+5 of study in a given school,exceptin cases of academicdeficiencyor violationsof disciplinary
46 regulations.
47

11
 lt

1 In cases wherein the school authoritiesrefuse to allow a student to enroll for the
2 subsequentsemesteror year due to the causes hereinabovestated,the studentmay appeal
3 such rulingto the appropriate
educationagency
A

5 SEC. 26. Collectionof Student Paper and Student Council Fees.- The school
6 shallassistthe studentpaperstaffand the studentcouncil/government,
administration in their
7 financialneedsthroughthe collectionof studentpaperand studentcouncilfees from the
8 students.
9
l0 The studentpaperfees shall be held in trustfor their unhampereduse in the publication
II of the studentpaper.
12
13 The full amountof studentcouncilfees shallbe turnedover to the studentcouncilwithin
14 fifteen(15)daysfrom the assumptionof officeof the StudentCouncilofficers.
15
16 SEC. 27. Right to Privacy. - The privacy of communicationand correspondenceof
17 s t u d e n t s h a l lre ma i ni n vi o l a b l e .
18
19 SEC. 29. ScholarshipGrantsand Privileges.- Oppositionto schoolpoliciesinimicalto
20 students'interestshall not be a ground for denying or withdrawingscholarshipgrants and
21 privilegesto deservingstudents.
?2
13 SEC. 30. Prohibition Against Militarization of the School Campus. - The pursuit of
21 academicexcellenceand exerciseof academicfreedomcan be attainedonly in an atmosphere
25 free from fear and unreasonablerestraint.Pursuantthereto,no militarydetachmentshall be
26 installedon the schoolcampus.
27 Militaryelementsand/or policemenin uniformor in plain clothesand the school security
28 forces shall not interferewith studentactivities,particularlypeacefulmass actions,insidethe
29 schoolcampus.
30
31 SEC. 31. Firearms Ban. - Studentsshall not be allowed to carry firearms inside the
32 schoolcampus.They shall be requiredto depositsuch firearmswith the schoolsecurityforce
33 priorto theirentryto the schoolpremises.
a1

:S CHAPTERVIII
36 FIINALPROVISIONS
aa

:S SEC. 32. Rutes and Regutations.-Withinninety(90)daysfrom the approvalof thisAct,

39 the DepEd, TESDA, and CHED, together with the representativesof national student
40 organizations,
representatives
of school administrations
and the NationalYouth Commission
,+1 (NYC)shall promulgatethe necessaryrulesand regulations
to implementthe provisionsof this
42 Act.
A-

44 SEC. 33. AdministrativeSancfions.-The Department of Education,Commissionon

45 HigherEducationandTechnical Education Authority
and SkillsDevelopment are herebyvested
46 with powersnecessaryto investigate and imposeadministrative penaltiesto ensurethe
47 enforcementof this Act. Any student,studentcouncilor government, or nationalstudent
48 organizations
shallhavethe rightto reportto anddemandan investigationfromthe appropriate
49 education
agencyintoany act or actscommitted and/oradministrations
by schoolauthorities

T2
 l3

1 violativeof their right as providedin this Act. As such, they may file complaintsbefore the
2 aforementioned agenciesand shallhavethe rightto an impartialspeedyresolutionof the issue.
a

4 The appropriateeducationagency shall cause the suspensionor revocationof the

5 licenseor permitto operateof any school,collegeor universityfound to be guiltyof violating
6 rights guaranteedunder this Act. A fine not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos
7 (200,000.00)but not more than Five HundredThousand Pesos(500,000.00) shall be imposed
8 on any school,collegeor university
found liablefor violatingthisAct.
9
10 Upon final judgment, the appropriateeducation agency may recommend to the
11 Departmentof Justicethe prosecution of any school,collegeor universitybeforea regularCourt
12 for violatingthe provisionsof thisAct.
11

11 lf the offender is a student or a student organization, the school, college or university

15 shall cause, dependingon the gravity of the offense,the suspensionor expulsionof the
16 offendingstudent and/or the suspensionor revocationof the accreditationof the offending
17 organization, includingotheradministrative penalties,subjectto the establishmentof guidelines
18 to be crafted by the school administration with the student councilor government,student
19 o r g a n i z a t i o ns
an d th e stu d e n b
t o d y.
t0
l1 To protectthe interestsof the students,the Stateshall,duringthe periodof suspension
22 or upon the cancellationof license,and unlessrestrainedby the properCourt,take over the
13 operationof the school.
-) .l
-+

25 SEC.34. Penal Provisions.- Any personwho shallwillfullyinterfere with,restrainor

26 coerceany studentin the exerciseand enjoyment of his/herrightsguaranteed by thisAct, or
27 who shallin any othermannercommitany act to defeatany provision of thisAct, shall,upon
28 be punishedby a fine of not lessthan FiftyThousand(P50,000.00)
conviction, Pesosbut not
29 morethanOne Hundred Thousand (P100,000.00) Pesosor by imprisonment for not lessthan
30 oneyearbutnotmorethanfiveyears,or both,at thediscretion of the Court.
a1

32 lf the offenderis an educationalinstitution, or any juridicalperson,the penaltyshall be

33 imposedupon the President,Treasurer,Secretaryor any personor officerresponsiblefor the
i-l violation.lf the offenderis an alien,he shall,afterserviceof sentence,be deportedimmediately
35 withoutfurtherproceedingin the Bureauof lmmigration(Bl). lf the offenderis a publicofficeror
36 employee,the Courtshall,in additionto the penaltieshereinabove provided,orderhis dismissal
37 from the governmentservice.
38
39 Refusal of any governmentofficial,includingthose working in state colleges and
40 universities,whose duty includesinvestigatingor actingon any complaintfor a violationof this
11 Act to performhis or her duty shall be consideredas gross negligenceon the part of such
12 officialwho shallsufferthe appropriatepenaltyundercivilservicelaws,rulesand regulations.
43
44 Any student whose rights have been violated as stipulatedin this Act may file
15 independentcivil cases for damagesagainstthe offendingpersons,naturalor juridical.He or
46 she shallbe exemptfrom filingfees.
A'7
+t

48 In this regard,the CHED,and the TESDAshallbe empowered to investigateintothe

49 violationsof thisAct or the rulesand regulations and for this purposeshall
issuedthereunder

13
 l*

t have the power to issue summons,writs, orders,subpoenaand subpoenaduces tecum to

2 secure the attendanceof witnessesand the productionof documentsin connectionwith the
3 chargespresentedt the appropriatebody.
4
5 In addition to the penaltiesherein provided,the license to operate of the school
6 concernedmay be suspendedor canceledby the DepED,TESDAor CHED in accordancewith
7 Section34 of this Act. The decisionof theseeducationagenciesmay be appealedto the proper
8 court.
9
10 SEC. 35. Oversight.- The Departmentof Education,TESDA and the Commissionon
11 of this Act. They shall subm i tan annual
H i g h e rEd uca ti o nsh a l l mo n i to rth e im plementation
12 report to the Office of the Presidentand Congress.For this purpose,the aforementioned
13 agenciesmay availthe supportof nationalstudentorganizations.
I4
15 An OversightCommitteeis herebycreatedcomposedof two (2) memberseach from the
16 Committeeon BasicEducationand two (2) membersfrom the Committeeon HigherEducation
17 of the Senateand Houseof Representatives,to be constitutedand co-chairedby the head of
18 the committeesto evaluate and monitor the implementationof this Act. The Oversight
19 Committeeshall automaticallyconsiderthe reportsof the concernedgovernmentagencies,
l0 and studentcouncilsand governments.
studentorganizations,
2l
22 SEC. 36. Repealing Clause. - All laws,decrees,orders,rulesand regulations or other
23 issuancesor parts thereofwhich are inconsistent
with the provisionsof this Act are hereby
24 repealedor modifiedaccordingly.
25
26 SEC. 37. Separability Clause. lf any provision of this Act is held invalid or
27 otherprovisionsnot affectedshallcontinueto be in fullforceand effect.
unconstitutional,
28
29 SEC. 38. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
30 publicationin at leasttwo (2) newspapersof generalcirculation.
31
32 Approved,

14