NEWS | LCSC pushes accountability over government’s abandonment on education
By Angela Manuel and Christina Cambiado
Due to the impending start of classes amidst the pandemic, the UP Manila League of College Student Councils (UPM LCSC) held its first general assembly for the academic year (AY) 2020–2021 last Monday, August 31 via Zoom. The league stands in solidarity with the student body and is united in defending their rights as they amplify the call for inclusive quality education. Each college student council presented their projects for the upcoming semester and elected the League’s new executive committee officers.
Fight for inclusive education
The league, along with the Rise for Education Alliance (R4E) UP Manila, firmly believes that education is a right and no student should be left behind. They noted that the militaristic approach of the Duterte administration is a clear manifestation of their incompetence and misplacement of priorities amidst the worsening health crisis.
“Along with medical solutions to the ongoing pandemic, we must continue to assert our right to education. The state has no right to deny our democratic rights even in ordinary times,” R4E stated.
Despite education being one of the most heavily affected sectors, it remains highly commercialized, colonial, and anti-democratic. Students and teachers alike shoulder the burden of the government’s inadequate educational policies.
The group’s proposal emphasizes the reallocation of funds to the education sector to ensure a safe return to face-to-face classes, as it is the most inclusive way of learning. Among their demands include revamping the curriculums to make it more nationalist, scientific and mass-oriented.
For instance, the UP College of Dentistry (UPCD) administration continues to disregard the well-being of its students by proposing physical classes despite the health risks and the absence of clear guidelines for its implementation. As of writing, the student body is continuing its dialogue with the administration over their right for a safe education.
R4E reiterated that rather than postponement, the students should call for the state’s accountability instead. In the same manner, they explained that the faculty’s demand for postponement is rooted in the same cause.
Furthermore, UPM carries a special responsibility in this pandemic as the Health Sciences Center. In the long run, postponement will do more harm than good especially to the School of Health Sciences (SHS) which is already gearing towards serving communities where the lack of comprehensive health care is evident.
“Sa anumang panahon o lugar ng bansa, dapat firm tayo sa pagkilala sa serbisyo para sa kalusugan at edukasyon .Kapag ba tayo nag-postpone, kailan tayo magpapatuloy? Kailan tayo magkaka-access sa education?” College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) representative to the USC Habagat Farrales remarked.
“At yung postponement, nakikita natin siya as last resort. Naging huling move nalang kasi hindi talaga tinugunan yung mga primarya nating demands. So, sino magpapatupad nito? Tayo ba? Tayo ba lagi (ang) mag-aadjust sa kapabayaan nila? Sa mabagal nilang tugon?”
Quality Service from CSCs
Out of the 11 student-led governing bodies of the university, only the SHS student councils based in Baler, Koronadal, and Palo were unable to attend due to connectivity problems.
Common among the reports of the seven CSCs and the USC were relief drives extending support to local communities and assistance to the students, as well as their active engagement on local and national issues. As they serve their holdover term, they also presented their plans for the upcoming semester starting with initiatives for incoming UPM freshmen.
The UP College of Allied Medical Professions Student Council (CAMPSC) — The CAMPSC reported on the success of their ‘Sabay sabay sasablay’ project for interns and ‘CAMPElikula’, a free film screening for CAMP students, last semester. For this upcoming semester, they plan to host a three-part self-wellness program entitled ‘‘Heads UP!’ on October 7, 14, 21; ‘Usap Tayo!’ on October 28; and ‘Post-Dinner Chit-chat with CAMPers’ on November 28. They also plan to release CAMP’s Online Resource Hub, Online Bulletin, and Intern’s Digital Resource Hub.
UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences Student Council (CASSC) — The Padre Faura-based CSC highlighted their successful commemoration of the 50th First Quarter Storm (FQS) and student summit entitled ‘BALIKWAS: Rekindling the FIre of Student Leadership in UP Manila’ last semester. They announced their plan to build a coalition of different academic and cultural organizations.
UP Dentistry Student Council (DSC) — Last semester, the DSC successfully hosted the ‘Dental Traders’ Exhibit 2020’, the celebration of UPCD’s 105th Foundation Week, and the ‘Teeth talk’ webinar series. For the upcoming semester, they plan to celebrate the Mooncake Festival Dice Games, host the UPCD Acquaintance Party, and an educational discussion (ED) festival.
UP Medicine Student Council (MSC) — The MSC addressed the internship concerns of UP College of Medicine (UPCM) Class 2020 and promoted ‘Sanduguan’, a blood drive for the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). One of their promising projects this year includes the UPCM Students Needs Database, which gathers updates on course packs, housing subsidies, laptop loans, and data allowance. Despite the uncertain situation, they still plan to host the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) review this year.
UP Nursing Student Council (NSC) — In response to the health crisis, the council released a COVID-19 Guide last March and conducted the College of Nursing (CN) monitoring for its undergraduates and faculty. Just months prior, they faced a major issue about the handling of class of 2020’s final semester and endorsement of 14 students. The NSC is set to host ‘TRANScend: transes-making seminar’ on September 25, which is open for all UPCN students, and ZOOM-BA session on October 2 for all UPM students.
UP Pharmaceutical Association Student Council (UPPhASC) — Last semester, the UPPhASC was able to successfully host BRIGADA UPPhA, Pharmalengke, a review session for recent graduates, and a re-orientation and forum regarding the Return Service Agreement (RSA). Their future projects include a thesis crash course titled ‘Research 101’ on September 19, and the release of a database of references, installers and researches through their project ‘Iskonnect’.
UP College of Public Health Student Council (CPHSC) — In celebration of the college’s foundation month, the council hosted ‘Simulaw (Sining-Musika-Galaw)’ and ‘5 Days of Happiness’ in partnership with the Alliance of Public Health Organizations (APHO). For the upcoming semester, they plan to host a CPH Movie Night, a House Cup, and the CPH General Assembly.
UP Manila University Student Council (UPM USC) — As the highest student governing body of the university, they amplified their call for a free, comprehensive, progressive, and quality education through the formulation of alliances, active consultations with the student body, and participation in system-wide assemblies such as the KASAMA sa UP’s 40th National Congress, the 49th General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC), and the first-ever online GASC. They also reported that they await the approval of 28 projects which includes, ‘Rinig sa tinig’, ‘Para legal: UPM Paralegal team’, ‘Dinig: LiftUP Initiative’, and ‘Kapihan sa USC’.
Election of UPM LCSC ExeCom
By the end of this assembly, the League welcomed its new Executive Committee Officers for AY 2020–2021.
The CAMP SC will assume the role of Public Relations Officer for the upcoming semester. They will be responsible for releasing news items to the media regarding League activities, promoting good public relations, and answering inquiries about the League
The NSC, elected as the new Advocacy Head, are expected to promote social and political awareness among the members of the League and its offices. Alongside this, they need to ensure the quality of the League’s activities and campaigns, and primarily organize the educational discussions.
Finally, CPH SC will be the Secretariat for the upcoming semester. This position entails the proper safekeeping of the journal of the proceedings, papers and correspondences, and the certification of all official acts of the League.
