Thousands of students are calling for academic relief after Typhoon Carina battered the Philippines last week, causing widespread flooding and destruction.
Some schools have already postponed classes, while others are facing pressure to do the same.
The UP College of Education Student Council is among those urging for leniency. In a letter to the college administration, the council asked for class cancellations, deadline extensions, and flexible attendance policies.
“Now more than ever, we strengthen our call for a more compassionate and inclusive education in these trying times,” the council said.
The UP Los Baños University Student Council has also made a similar appeal, calling for an extension of deadlines for assignments, quizzes, and other academic requirements.
They also requested consideration of alternative submission formats and leniency in attendance policies for online classes.
The Holy Angel University (HAU) has also responded to the plight of its students affected by Typhoon Carina.
The university sent a letter to Dr. Al D. Biag, Vice President for Academic Affairs, requesting leniency for students who were unable to attend classes due to the typhoon.
The council asked instructors to accept excuse letters from affected students and to post announcements on the Canvas learning management system.
Meanwhile, some schools have taken matters into their own hands. Light Bearer Christian Academy and Norwich Brent Cedric School in Metro Manila both announced they would delay the start of classes from July 29 to August 5.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said on July 25 that schools can postpone classes if they are badly affected by the typhoon. A list of affected areas will be released.
Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon have caused P630 million in damage to school infrastructure, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported on Thursday.
As of now, the Department of Education is still pushing through with the school opening on July 29.
