A lawmaker has filed a bill institutionalizing students’ rights and welfare.

Pinuno Party-list Representative Howard Guintu said House Bill 7985 or the Students’ Rights and Welfare Act of 2023, affirms that education is a critical institution in promoting civil liberties, human rights, and fundamental freedoms.

Guintu the said current policies and mechanisms are not sufficient in ensuring that students are protected and empowered.

“Therefore, it is necessary to create an environment where students and young Filipinos can exercise their rights and fully participate in society and nation-building,” he stressed.

“The bill recognizes the importance of democratic processes, particularly the right of students to organize and express themselves without undue influence from educational institutions,” he added.

Guintu lamented that despite the government’s efforts to protect and promote students’ rights and welfare, these initiatives have not been sufficient.

“The launch of a Students Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Desk and the distribution of a National Student Handbook have proven inadequate in providing students with the protection and access to education that they deserve,” he said.

The neophyte solon said he hopes to remedy this by providing a comprehensive and coherent policy framework for protecting students’ rights and welfare.

“Education is a right and as such it can only be exercised and enjoyed fully in a climate where the rights and welfare of students and young Filipinos are promoted and protected. This proposed law will create mechanisms for addressing complaints and grievances, promoting inclusion and diversity, and ensuring that students’ voices are heard in decision-making processes,” he said.

“It will provide guidelines for educational institutions in implementing policies that respect and protect students’ rights and welfare,” he added.

Among the rights that Guintu’s bill will institutionalize are the following: right against discrimination in educational institutions; right to competent instruction and relevant quality education; right to organize; right to establish a student council or government; and right publish a student newspaper and other similar publications; right to adequate welfare services and academic facilities; representation in the school’s highest policy-making body; right to freedom of information; academic freedom; right to due process; right against illegal searches and seizures; access to school records and issuance of official certificates; and right to privacy.

Moreover, Guintu said the bill also bans the carrying of firearms or explosives in schools and campuses. It also prohibits all involuntary contributions.

Meanwhile, no tuition or other school fee increase shall also be allowed unless a notice of increase in tuition or other school fees is posted in conspicuous locations a year prior to the implementation of the proposed increase, and at least one public meeting has been held with students, heads of student organizations, and student council or government officers to discuss the proposed increase.