HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDIn every beginning lies an opportunity for change…This has been the guiding light of more than a hundred student council leaders from major universities and colleges nationwide when they convened to forge greater solidarity and unity in 1996.
The unity produced the ground for an alternative venue where student councils and leaders shared commitment to re-invent the student movement out of its continuous decline.
It is in this context that a new alliance of student councils was born to become an instrument for change not only within the political landscape of higher educational institutions, but also in the vast arena of sectoral and national concerns and contemporary issues besetting our interest and welfare.
The Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) explores the vastness of leadership and service potential of students to harness and develop them for optimum empowerment.
SCAP is actively involved in local, sectoral and national campaigns, with a focused leadership capable of responding to new challenges and opportunities. It is also working for progressive reforms in the educational system through executive and legislative advocacy and by forging dynamic partnership with various organizations and institutions that advance the advocacy for an accessible, relevant and quality educational system.
Now, truly making change where it matters most, the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines reaffirms its aspiration to serve as a forum for a substantive exchange of ideas, perspective and concepts on key reform areas in the education sector. As a crucial stakeholder, SCAP asserts its role in determining the direction of our educational system as well as in redefining policy structures of the sector.
VISION STATEMENTAn educational system co-determined by all stakeholders in the society who actively participate in making education accessible to all, responsive to the needs of the sector, and capable of producing competent and empowered citizens for a just and humane society.
MISSION STATEMENTTo advocate social and education reforms through executive and legislative engagements; promoting unity, awareness, solidarity and cooperation among student councils; recommending policy proposals for quality, accessible and relevant education and serve as catalyst for social change.
VALUES STATEMENTWe are for AUTHENTIC HUMANIZATION as it teaches equality, love and justice as foundation of any organization;
We adhere to DEMOCRATIC PERSUASION for it to recognizes free exchange of ideas and active discourse in pursuit of organizational objectives;
We regard STUDENT EMPOWERMENT as part of our right to self-governance and determination as well as our freedom of speech and expression;
We value UNITY and SOLIDARITY while respecting differences among members and non-members to achieve progressive and positive changes in the society;
We uphold NATIONAL PRIDE and IDENTITY while developing a global outlook and an international perspective;
We strive for GENDER EQUALITY based on mutual respect and consideration as well as recognition of each individual’s uniqueness and humanity.
OUR PRINCIPLESAdvocating for genuine reforms in the educational system constitute mapping terrain before launching the quest. Furthermore, there is a need to define the parameter and indicator for education reforms.
1. Prioritization of the education sector as a vital element to a national and human resource development as reflected on government’s budget allocation and mobilization to the sector.
2. Continuous training and education program for the development and competencies of teaching staff in their respective fields.
3. An academic sector responsive to social realities that harnesses the necessary skills and values to transform and develop a mode of thinking that shows how to reflect and act, criticize and analyze and explore and organize.
4. Educational institutions, public and private, that are transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of the learner.
5. Policies and programs of the government co-determined by its entire stakeholders prior to implementation through genuine and meaningful genuine partnership.
6. A State that lives up to its obligation to provide quality, relevant and accessible education and taking all appropriate step to protect and defend our rights and welfare.
OUR INVOLVEMENTSFor the last five years, SCAP consistently sets a pro-active direction for involvement on national and sectoral issues. The alliance, firm with its principles, remains consistent with its political positions for social, political and education reforms vis-à-vis old and new threats to our rights and welfare.
Thus, as part of our engagement, SCAP initiated and supported various formations based on specific issues and took part in major campaigns. Its engagements includes:
1. ABOLISH ROTC MOVEMENT
A national campaign calling for the absolute abolition of the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in all colleges and universities through legislative and executive initiatives. This campaign also spearheaded the call for immediate and speedy deliverance of justice to victims of ROTC related human rights abuses and corruption in its institutions.
2. UNANG BOTO, ANTI – TRAPO CAMPAIGN
A national campaign initiated by the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) together with other youth organizations thatcalled for an extension of registration for first time voters. The campaign was also designed to organize young voters to push for program and reform-oriented elections. During the 2001 elections, the campaign became a strong voice for new politics and good governance.
3. NAMFREL Volunteer Work
In the electoral arena, SCAP was accredited as an organizational member of the National Movement for Free Election and carry out the task of educating voters about the electoral process. The members of the alliance also volunteered for the Operation Quick Count.
4. RIO CAMPAIGN
RIO Campaign is a national movement led by Kongreso ng Mamamayang Pilipino (KOMPIL II) and AKBAYAN calling for the resignation, impeachment or ouster (RIO) of former Pres. Joseph E. Estrada. As part of its contribution, SCAP, together with the Union of Catholic Student Council (UCSC) and AKBAYAN Youth, initiated the formation of KOMPIL Youth whose task is to unite the youth for an anti-Erap movement as well as to push for a reform agenda after People Power II.
5. E – CAMPAIGN
Education Campaign (E-Campaign) is a commitment set forth by various youth organization led by SCAP to generate public awareness on the impact of the policy recommendations of the Presidential Commission on Education Reform (PCER). The E-campaign was also a venue to push for greater resource allocation and mobilization for the education sector, as well as an end to tuition fee deregulation.
6. CIVIL SOCIETY NETWORK FOR EDUCATION REFORM (Education Network, E-NET)
SCAP is affiliated with Education Network, a conglomeration of reform oriented civil society organization that aims to introduce progressive reforms in the education sector, especially in the areas of financing, administration, policy formulation and program design. Other members of the Education Network include the Alliance of Concerned Teachers – Education International (ACT – EI), Oxfam – Great Britain (OGB), and League of Corporate Foundations.
7. AKBAYAN ANG TAGA-MINDANAO AND OTHER CAMPAIGNS
SCAP supported AKBAYAN on its campaign for peace and an end to all-out war in the region. Likewise, SCAP initiated the call for peace and development in Mindanao and conducted activities to heighten the awareness of youth about the real issues behind the conflict that plagues the region. Other campaigns include Education Budget Cut, Volt-in Against VFA, AKLAS Cha-Cha and Suppression of Press Freedom.
OUR PROGRAM AND APPROACHES1. YOUTH A.P.P.E.A.L FOR REFORMS
Active Participation, Policy Engagement and Lobbying (APPEAL) is our means to intervene in the political processes, from executive and legislative branches of the government to a much wider arena of engagement, to push for progressive reforms in the education sector. This strategy involves direct organizational intervention, personal influence, research-oriented engagement, and lastly, pressure politics and network formation.
2. ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP
Active Citizenship Campaign is an issue advocacy campaign covering a unified stance on national issues and sectoral concerns like education and popular empowerment.
It was coined to unify and consolidate members and non-members towards advancing our common advocacy. Likewise, it was named so to encapsulate the fact that social and education reforms can only be achieved through active citizenship.
3. CAPABILITY BUILDING AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
This area aims to further the capability of student councils and leaders to develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes towards effective student governance and empowerment. Within this program, SCAP aims to increase the awareness of the youth on sectoral and social concerns.
Skills development to supplement the leadership and enhance the service potentials of student leaders as well as institute values formation with focus on inter-sectoral solidarity and respect for cultural diversity are main elements of this program.
PROGRAM COMPONENT
The program is divided into seven major sub-programs which encapsulate basic concepts and principles that will further the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the youth leader:
A. Active Citizenship Education Seminar (ACES)
Course Content: Social Tools of Analysis, Globalization and Youth Sector, National Situationer and Sectoral Struggles, Education Situation, Cultural Analysis, Gender Issues and Concerns.
B. Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD)
Course Content: Organizational Mission, Vision and Values, Principle Centered Leadership, Effective Facilitation and Listening Skills, Values Framework and Paradigm, Authentic Humanization, Team Building Processes and Exercises
C. Campaign Organizing, Management and Electoral Management (COMET)
Course Content: Basic Concept of Electoral Campaign, Framework for Youth / Student Governance, Electoral Campaign Management, Image Building and Campaign Packaging, Youth/Student Development Agenda Making, Basic Electoral Strategies and Tactics, Public Speaking
D. Managing and Governing the Organization (MANGO)
Course Content: Basic Concept and Principle of Youth Governance, Organizational Management, Project Management, Conflict Management and Team Management
E. Youth Active Participation, Policy Advocacy and Lobbying (Youth APPEAL)
Course Content: On Issue Advocacy, On Policy Engagement, The Art of Lobbying, Information –Media Management, Effective Negotiation Skills, Forming Networks and Coalitions
F. Youth Strategic Planning and Intervention (YS Plan)
Course Content: Strategy Orientation – SWOT Analysis, SMART Planning Framework, Tools for Strategic Planning, Evaluation and Monitoring Process
G. Capability and Organizational Development Education Seminar (CODES)
Course Content: Constituency Building and Organizing, Effective Networking, Campaign Management and Popular Education
4. ORGANIZING AND NETWORKING
Constituency building is the main objective of this program. On this area, SCAP aims to create a substantial impact on a national scale while maintaining its influence in the community.
Laying down the foundation for addressing concerns effectively and responding to issue efficiently, SCAP organized its members within territorial and geographical lines as well as according to its nature.
This is done to support the effort of member councils to confront community and territorial issues while addressing problems unique to the nature of their schools at the same time.
PUBLICATIONThe ALLEGIANCE, the newsletter of SCAP that comes out every two months.
SCAP Forum is a reprint of relevant analysis of social, political and economic issues affecting the youth/student and education sector, including relevant laws and government policies. SCAP Forum is introduced with editorial notes.
