Got a problem? Students can now file case online.

By Julie M. Aurelio, Philippine Daily Inquirer
March 12, 2012

MANILA, Philippines–Students who think their rights are being trampled upon can now file a complaint online with the launching of the Students’ Rights And Welfare (STRAW) Desk.

According to the National Youth Commission (NYC), the STRAW desk is dedicated to addressing and probing students’ concerns.

For those with grievances, they can visit http://www.strawdesk.com to access the NYC complaint center and click on the “file a complaint” icon. To protect them from being harassed, their identity will be kept confidential.

The program was launched in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“Ultimately the goal of this programs is for schools to uphold the rights of and promote [the] welfare [of] students,” NYC Undersecretary Leon Flores III said at a press conference yesterday.

He cited some of these violations which ranged from tuition hikes, fraternity-related violence, security lapses, “the no-permit, no-exam policy,” to discrimination.

Heart Diño, the newly-elected transgender chair of the student council of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City, cited the “gentleman’s policy” in some schools which bars male students from wearing make-up, as well as fraternity-related violence and unnecessary tuition hikes.

“Everyone must have access to education without any discrimination of any kind,” she said.

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