CIR Kalayaan on cheating, implications of star section system

by Timothy Gerard Palugod

CIR Kalayaan presidential candidate Chelsea Bless Nabing (L) and vice presidential candidate Janae Raquiza (R) | Photo by Jacklord Lanzo

For the College of International Relation’s (CIR) Kalayaan lineup, the act of cheating is “only in the mindset of the students.”

When asked about the issue in CIR where students cheat their way to the star sections, vice presidential candidate Janae Raquiza mentioned the “Mind Your Mind” mental health program in their platform. “Let’s give the reasons why people cheat. Because maybe the students didn’t study well, or maybe they have other activities,” she stated.

Raquiza and Kalayaan’s presidential candidate Chelsea Bless Nabing explained that the “Mind Your Mind” program is a series of tutorials and seminars that will encourage students to study and not to cheat.

The mechanism of the star section system in CIR recognizes the excellent academic performance of Diplomacy and International Relations students. Nabing does not see this as an issue, explaining that there are students who excel in academics and students who excel in extracurricular activities.

Meanwhile, Raquiza acknowledged that there are pros and cons to the star section system, but the program leaned more in the positive side as it “encourages the students to study harder so they can be part of that section.”

She clarified that there are students who excel in other sections. “You don’t really have to be in the 56 to say that you are smart,” said Raquiza, who has been a part of the star section.

Another highlight in their platform is the League of Diplomats, a series of competitions that strengthens the students’ skills and talents and helps them to be more engaged with each other.