Advocacies of the Council of Teachers and Staff in Colleges and Universities

Advocacies of the Council of Teachers and Staff in Colleges and Universities

1. L egislative advocacies of COTESCUP :  Our advocacy is based on Article 13 SECTION 3 of the Philippine Constitution that states “t he State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all. It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law. The State shall promote the principle of shared responsibility between workers and employers and the preferential use of voluntary modes in settling disputes, including conciliation, and shall enforce their mutual compliance therewith to foster industrial peace. The State shall regulate the relations between workers and employers, recognizing the right of labor to its just share in the fruits of production and the right of enterprises to reasonable returns to investments, and to expansion and growth.

2. 1. Review and amend of RA 6728-AN ACT PROVIDING GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN PRIVATE EDUCATION; ( we are proposing to amend section 5 of RA 6738 ……. Xxxxx That seventy percent (70%) share of the employees in any tuition fee increases shall be devoted to the payment of salaries, and wages, of the members of the faculty and non-teaching personnel. The share of the employees shall be distributed within (60) days from the start of the school year and a financial report of compliance shall be given to the employees, their association or labor organization, furnishing copies thereof the Regional Offices of the Department of Labor, the DepEd, CHED, and other agencies concerned, not later than thirty (30) days after such distribution.

3. 2. Regulation and standardization of miscellanneous and Other fees Various miscellaneous fees are an added burden on parents and students who already have to cope with higher tuition fees. CHED covers only the tuition fee increases and not the miscellaneous fees The non-regulation of miscellaneous fees has given some colleges and universities the freedom to impose redundant, excessive and often ridiculous charges, which they lump together in so-called miscellaneous fees. There is lack of transparency. Some Schools advertise ‘no tuition hike’ but conceal additional and hidden charges in the guise of miscellaneous fees misleading students and parents alike, Utilization and Surplus from these fees are not properly disclosed or how these are used considering many of these schools are non-profit.

4. Add a provision on the creation of an oversight body on the utilization and compliance of schools. This body should be Tripartite. There should be law that stipulates that all fees, except tuition, shall be constituted into a trust fund to be spent for the specific purposes for which they are respectively collected. The unexpended balance of each fee annually may be used to cover deficits in other fees at any unexpended balance of the fund at the end of every five years shall be constituted into a scholarship fund for poor but deserving students to be administered jointly by the school administration, faculty and student government. (see REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6139, August 31, 1970 Section 9.)

5. 3. Review and Amend A) K+12 Law and its implementation. The process of the review should involve the participation of faculty unions & associations. B) various Manuals of Regulations in Private Educational Institutions and other relevant education laws, memos, rules, and regulations; There are provisions that discrimate against teaching personnel e.g. Probationary Academic Personnel period - 3 consecutive SYs or 6/9 consecutive semester (MORPHE). Teachers are given semestral contract and not deemed probationary. That is, upon expiration thereof, employment may cease if not renewed. Non-Academic Personnel including librarian and guidance counselor - 6 months only (Labor Code) See e.g. TIPC Resolution #5 series 2011 “"Requesting DOLE to Initiate a Dialogue with the Stakeholders toward theReview and Amendment of the Provision on the Three-Year Probationary Periodfor Private School Teachers"

6. 4. Strengthening and protecting the right to tenure, freedom of association, and collective bargaining. 5. Enhance the tripartite approach of Dep-ED, Tesda and CHED on the policy interventions that affect the of private education sector. e.g. To identify what is “normal duties of teacher” (RA 4670) 6. Enact and strenghten laws, department order regarding appointment of union representatives in government agencies and GOCCs that require workers’ representation. The President or his representatice can only veto the nominees.