[4/7] 𝗜𝗡-𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗛 | 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗸 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮

𝗣𝗨𝗣 𝗦𝗞𝗠, 𝗥𝟰𝗘-𝗣𝗨𝗣, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝘁𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗸 𝗘𝘀𝗸𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗮

On April 21, 2022, the PUP Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral (PUP SKM) in collaboration with Rise for Education (R4E) Alliance - PUP, proposed and submitted the official Ligtas na Balik Eskwela (LBE) - Conducive PUP Sta. Mesa Policy Proposal to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA).

“Our fight for a genuine #LigtasNaBalikEskwela will continue and we are putting a heavier emphasis on the challenge that we leave for the PUP administration and the officials within the education sector to heed the call of the Iskolar ng Bayan, along with the broader line of the Filipino youth, that instead of continuing to implement anti-student policies in the middle of a worsening social crisis, we must, at the best of our ability, push for a safe resumption of physical classes to be met not only in PUP but also in the whole country,” the PUP SKM said.

In an 83-page proposal, the policy proposal primarily focuses on upholding community well-being and zero-transmission; programs for fundamental social services; administrative and community responsibility; provision of high-quality education; and protection of democratic rights. The LBE-Conducive PUP Sta. Mesa Policy Proposal has four (4) core: A. theminimum health protocols in classrooms, school grounds, and facilities must be implemented; B. the spread of disease through a community-based local pandemic response must be mitigated; C. quarantine infected community members and follow through with a swift protocol for isolation and contact tracing; and D. humaneand pro-student blended learning modalities as a contingency plan must be implemented. [l] In addition, the policy proposal also highlighted its eight (8) pillars: 1. shared responsibility; 2. alternative working arrangement; 3. revamped classroom layout and structure; 4. instructional support; 5. school traffic management; 6. protective measures, hygiene practices, and safety procedures; 7. communication plan; and 8. contingency plan.[m] The proposal highlighted that face-to-face classes shall gradually resume in accordance with the health of the students, instructors, and staff. In line with this, PUP SKM also emphasized the necessity of adherence to health standards, alert levels, and national requirements. “Face-to-face classes must be implemented gradually starting with only allowing a number of students to enter the university for a time while assuming FlexTEL learning. Graduality ensures the safety phasing up until the resumption of full physical learning,” the proposal suggests regarding the expansion and resumption phasing of the face-to-face classes. Additionally, a consultation with the student population and the administration must be held for academic easing and other academic-related concerns. Moreover, the PUP Faculty Federation gave full support to the LBE Policy Proposal. In addition, sectoral representatives and leaders from the university have signed the LBE Policy Roadmap's final draft. Furthermore, on March 17, a discussion regarding working students, tuition increases, and face-to-face guidelines will take place between the PUP administration, PUP SKM, and local student councils, including the PUP College of Communication Student Council (PUP COC SC). The Rise for Education COC also assured that they will present their nine-point COC Balik Eskwela Demands in the said discussion. The LBE-Conducive PUP Sta. Mesa Policy Proposal, which is the offspring of several local LBE Game Plans from each local student council in PUP Sta, Mesa, is the most extensive policy manual from the LBE Game Plan. This initiative aims and continues to press for the safe resumption of in-person classes. The proposal was the outcome of numerous discussions, consultations, and assessments of the community's actual situation during the pandemic. Additionally, this is a policy suggestion that has been developed with input from the Iskolar ng Bayan, many facets of the community, and the academic community.

Article: Joseph Villena, Janelle Liong, & Rhoze Ann Abog

Graphics: Aldreich Pascual, Cathlyn de Raya, & Hannah May