Hular Jr., Raul M.

August 17, 2015

AB Political Science Atty. Dianne Junasa

How do you understand Academic freedom?

In the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of The Philippines, Article XIV Education,
Science and Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports Section 5 (2) Academic freedom shall be
enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning. But what is Academic freedom? Academic freedom
is a right that enables the community of scholars individually or collectively to express diverse
perspectives over contentious, controversial and critical topics, free from intimidation by
administration or by the political repression of the state (Simbuyan, 2011).
As a student, I understand Academic freedom as a part of freedom of speech though it
especially implies in a scholastic environment. Firstly, people are innately have the right to be
educated, to be enroll and be engaged in school and its different activities. We often found
organizations when we enter college, and student have to right to join or decline those organization.
As for the mission of schools to let students be educated, these students have the privilege to be
free from bullies, gangs and fraternities. It is then up to the school to impose policies to protect the
students from such circumstances. For we all know that these kind of things are more than
brotherhood, it is something that can ruin an individuals life.
Secondly, as Students progress throughout their school year, they encounter projects,
quizzes, exams and of course their grades. It is the responsibility of the students to do good if they
expect good grades. However, it is their privilege to see the numbers their professors have given
them. As for institutions of higher learning, consultations are necessary especially if a student
needed to attend to the requirements he missed same goes to the process of how his grades are
being computed, it is done to establish understanding to both sides, the professor and the student.
Another, protests of the students against the school often happen due to anomalies mostly in hike
of tuition fees. Thats why universities and colleges give students the breakdown on where their
payments are being spend to. These protesters are free to speak their voices without interruption
for its their right.
Not too long ago, a video of a girl giving her salutatorian speech went viral. She mentioned
that she wants transparency to see the grades of their valedictorian. Then, she had a hard time
getting into college since the school refused to issue her a certificate of good moral. Now, shes
enrolled in a university after seeking legal help. For me, I understand her eagerness about the
circumstances she have been to since she have her rights and I strongly agree with every decision
she made.
To sum up, in Academic freedom students have rights, to achieve better ride on the life of
being a student. Being a student takes almost half of your whole life so this freedom ensures your
rights not to be violated.