THE NATIONAL Union of Students of the Philippines decried the filing of a bill that seeks to allow the government to monitor the off-campus activities of schools.

House Bill 8737 also known as an Act Regulating the Conduct of Off-Campus Educational Activities by Public and Private Schools permits the state to regulate off-campus activities in lower and higher educational institutions.

The group claimed that the bill contains a number of contentious provisions “that encroach on students’ academic freedom.”

“For example, under Section 6 of the bill, venues in which off-campus activities will be authorized are listed, limiting opportunities. Institutions will only be allowed to send students to accredited venues or Knowledge Resource Destinations, and will be criminalized should they do otherwise,” NUSP said in a statement.

Citing the recent red-tagging and harassment of student organizations, the group warned that the bill could be abused by state forces.

“The bill along with the recent abrogation of the 1989 University of the Philippines-Department of Defense Accord further exposes the state’s motives to deny the students of their educational opportunities,” NUSP said.

“It also poses threats to schools such as UP that offer degree programs that pursue community integration through community development, developmental studies, and social work,” it added.

Representatives Roman Romulo, Jose Enrique Garcia III, Rico Geron at John Marvin Nieto, said that the bill aims to instill patriotism among the youth and encourage them to participate in public and civic affairs.

They argued that all off-campus educational activities must be based on the educational competencies of the curriculum, which can help expand students’ knowledge, skills and practices.

Under the bill, DepEd and CHED will collaborate with the Department of Tourism, National Museum of the Philippines, National Historical Commission of the Philippines and National Commission of Culture and the Arts to accredit venues for off-campus activities.

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines said that the bill would limit the youth’s potential “to maximize their environment to learn.”

“The bill places academic freedom under threat especially with the rampant attacks and red-tagging through programs by the PNP, AFP, and NTF-ELCAC, such as Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo and disinformation fora, seminars, and conventions outside schools,” CEGP said.