Youth & Children

Philippines: School kindles OFW kids? knack for life

by RUBY ANNE R. PASCUA
www.ofwjournalism.net

MANILA ? IN THIS school, students are allowed to stare across the window to daydream during classes.

That?s how some students like Cathyrine Tamayo and Ginesa Patalinhog get their motivation to stay out of the streets and stay in this school called Erda Tech.
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Child advocates decry CHR decision on Grecil

They're urging for independent autopsy of Grecil's remains, particularly since there were traces of powder burns on the child's head -- an indication that she may have been shot at close range, the groups said.

The CHR, according to Kabiba, is ?passing the burden of proof to the victim and is trying to vindicate human-rights violators.? It added that the CHR?s conclusion -- that Grecil died in a crossfire during a legitimate encounter -- "is actually inconclusive because the CHR did not actually employ scientific and defensible probing methods like the conduct of autopsy.?


Lack of Merit? Grecil's parents, shown here during a press conference in Manila in April, have also filed charges against the soldiers before the courts and the ombudsman. (Photo by arkibongbayan.org)

Continue ReadingChild advocates decry CHR decision on Grecil

CHR clears military in Grecil’s death

In a May 21 decision, the Commission on Human Rights in Southern Mindanao said Grecil Buya was killed in a legitimate crossfire between soldiers and rebels, and that there was no evidence that the soldiers violated the rights of Grecil. It also said that there was no evidence to suggest that she was a communist guerrilla, as earlier alleged by the military.

Grecil Buya's parents had sued the soldiers before the CHR, alleging that the troops summarily executed the girl. (Photo courtesy of MindaNews)

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Reflecting hard times, 2 million Filipino children dropped out of school in ’06

Many of these children might have been forced to leave school to earn a living. In 2006 some 2.5 million children aged 5 to 17 were working either to augment family income or simply to survive. The number of children in school is also dropping: in SY 2005-2006 only 84% of children aged 6-11 was able to attend elementary school, a sharp decrease from 90% in 2001-2002.

Continue ReadingReflecting hard times, 2 million Filipino children dropped out of school in ’06

Tuition hike blamed on ‘grand conspiracy’ between Arroyo, private schools

According to Kabataan partylist, CHED granted the tuition increase even before consultations in schools for such an increase has yet to be completed. It said the hike came after a meeting between President Arroyo and COCOPEA, the organization of private schools. The CHED's "unilateral and shameless act shows the commission's subservience and capitulation to strong pressure from school owners even at the expense of students."

Continue ReadingTuition hike blamed on ‘grand conspiracy’ between Arroyo, private schools