Ang Kwento ni Prez

While I was writing the University Code, I did a lot of research on the legal aspects of education.  One very important decision of the Supreme Court is De la Salle University, et.al v. Court of Appeals, et.al. G.R. No. 127980, December 19, 2007.  In this decision, the Supreme Court said that “According to present jurisprudence, academic freedom encompasses the independence of an academic institution to determine for itself (1) who may teach, (2) what may be taught, (3) how it shall teach, and (4) who may be admitted to study.”  In this regard, the Court ruled that “the school has an interest in teaching the student discipline, a necessary, if not indispensable, value in any field of learning.”

As we are preparing our student for their next life, the life of a citizen at work and as parents, discipline is a very important component of their learning package.  The teaching of discipline, says the Court, “finds basis in the freedom ‘what to teach’.”  The Court rules that “by instilling discipline, the school teaches discipline.” 

It is our responsibility and obligation to help in teaching our students discipline.  We owe it to their parents.  The students may not know it, or may even resent it, but we owe the nation to produce disciplined professionals.  Discipline is part of the learning package in our University.