A STUDENT leader from the University of Santo Tomas-Senior High School was dismissed from his position because of his affiliation with an ‘unrecognized organization’ in the university.

The student was sanctioned after he admitted being a member of Anakbayan.

“Lunod sa dami ng workload. Bigwas sa kalusugang mental. Paglabo sa saysay ng pag-aaral. Ako (name withheld) ng UST SHS SC/ Anakbayan UST-SHS/ R4E España, ay nakikiisa sa iginuguhit na panawagan ng kabataan: walang iwanan! Academic ease now! Bilang pagkilala sa malubhang kalagayan ng mga mamamayan, marapat lamang na makiisa sa kanilang kongkretong kondisyon at tumalima sa kanilang pangangailangan,” the student said in his Facebook post.

The university said the post was a violation of the school’s code of conduct, particularly the policy that “students shall join only organizations duly recognized by the university.”

The school ordered the student to explain why he violated the university’s policy.

A document obtained by The POST showed that the student will not be readmitted to the university and will not be issued a Certificate of Good Moral Character.

The university emphasized that a student leader “should be a role model.”

Social Media Restrictions

Last October 2020, the SHS Office of the Principal released the guidelines on the posting on any social media platform.

“In reference to the guidelines discussed during the Orientation for Student Leaders and Organization Moderators, we would like to reiterate the need for the endorsement or approval of the identified authority before any post is made in the official social media account of an organization,” it said in a memorandum.

It said that students must secure the signature of administrators, coordinators, and organization advisers before posting a greeting, project proposals, news articles, and political statements.

“To make sure that all posts are checked or approved by the identified authority, we would like to request all signatories to put/stamp their initials at lower right hand corner of the pubmat. This shall help us monitor posts of the recognized student organizations,” the memorandum read.

If the student organization and its adviser cannot come to an agreement on a post’s clearance, the Student Welfare and Development Coordinators will make the final decision.

Oppression

The student concerned denounced the school’s decision, saying “it represses his democratic rights and freedom of expression.”

“Ang unjustifiable ng ibinigay nila dahil wala namang proper grounds para gawin nila ’yun, and to begin with dapat hindi nila binibigyan ang students ng show cause letter or any sanction/disciplinary action nang dahil involved siya sa activism,” he said.

He stressed that it is normal for students to voice their opinions and criticisms because of the “rampant illnesses and injustices in the country.”

“Kung sa kanila ay isang violation ang pagsali sa isang mass organization dahil hindi siya recognized by the university, it also means sila rin ang nagiging dahilan sa pag-repress sa kanila dahil ayaw nilang i-uphold or i-advocate ang mga estudyante nila,” he said.

The student said that he tried to defend himself by seeking legal actions but the school was firm in its decision.

The National Union of Students of the Philippines-High School decried the school’s move, saying that it is a “manifestation of student repression amid the growing crisis the country is experiencing with democracy human rights, and education.”

“We call on the UST SHS admin to reverse this decision, provide due process, and uphold the democratic rights of their students. Schools must continue to be safe spaces for free,” NUSP-HS said in a statement.

The POST tried but failed to get a statement from the university.