Youth Development through Student Rights and Responsibilities: A Management Perspective from a Philippine State University

Abstract

Higher Education Institutions (HEISs) are increasingly expected to produce graduates who are not only academically competent but also socially responsible, ethically grounded, and actively engaged in democratic processes. While considerable attention has been devoted to protecting student rights, comparatively less emphasis has been placed on understanding how rights and responsibilities function together as complementary mechanisms that foster youth development and institutional well-being. Drawing from a management perspective, this study examines how the awareness, exercise, and execution of student rights and responsibilities contribute to the development of responsible citizenship within a Philippine state university. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed involving elected student leaders from recognized student organizations. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire developed from Executive Order No. 200 (Manual of Student Rights and Responsibilities) and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicate that student leaders generally demonstrate high levels of awareness and practice of both rights and responsibilities. Students reported stronger participation in organizational governance, student representation concerning financial matters, and compliance with institutional regulations, while relatively lower levels were observed in participation in curriculum-related governance, editorial independence, and journalism ethics. These findings suggest that institutional policies supporting both empowerment and accountability provide an important foundation for positive youth development. From a management perspective, balancing rights with responsibility strengthens participatory governance, ethical leadership, organizational citizenship, and student well-being. The study proposes that universities should move beyond policy compliance by adopting strategic governance approaches that intentionally cultivate responsible student leadership, meaningful participation, and shared accountability as essential components of holistic student development.