[7/7] 𝗜𝗡-𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗛 | 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗸 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗢𝗖𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀: 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀

“Hustisya para sa mga estudyante, guro, at mga empleyado.”— the primary call of PUPians.

Due to the pandemic, PUPians faced challenges in adjusting to the new educational setup including the difficulty of attending online classes and attending a few in-person classes, which was particularly challenging for students who lived in the provinces.

Apart from the aforementioned challenges, the students also waited long for the university to release the new set of clear guidelines for the next semester.

“Ang una ko talaga napansin is sana nag-announce sila nang mas maaga pa and mas specific pa per department para hindi malito ang mga students pagdating ng first day face-to-face class para in a way, at least organize at hindi magulo,” Riana Marie Vegamora from BAPR 2-1D claimed.

In addition, Ruztom Lamundao from BAJ 1-2N and other students are concerned about whether the university can accommodate all the students on the campus, considering that the north wing is still under construction.

“Remember, merong building na recently na-demolish tapos tinatayo pa rin siya until now at ‘di pa rin siya tapos and s'yempre, may mga ilang college [and] department na apektado for that; and at least, hindi magiging burden ‘yon sa kanila and also pati na rin sa working students,” Lamundao explained.

BAPR student, Cristalyn Española echoed the same sentiments as she shared her thoughts regarding the sufficiency of the classroom and facilities.

“Sana ay may sapat na classroom na ma-accommodate ang isang buong klase at magkaroon ng maayos na schedule for all subjects na magkakasama sana lahat ng in-person and lahat ng online classes,” Española said.

Furthermore, PUP is one of the few universities in Manila that is still on a blended learning setup. The majority of the universities around Metro Manila are already conducting full face-to-face classes since 2022.

In line with this, students are expecting the university to step up its preparedness in opening the university for the implementation of full-phase in-person classes.

“Tunay ngang ang PUP ay para sa bayan, ngunit dapat din nitong ibigay sa estudyante ang hakbang na bubuo sa kanila upang maging epektibong miyembro ng pamayanan,” Huan Meg Del Rosario Ambrocio from BACR 4-1N asserted.

Dauphne Lozano, a BABR student, also claimed that students should have the opportunity to enter the university to learn effectively. However, she also emphasized the need for the university to consider all relative factors including the status of the students and those who reside in provinces.

“Sana naman ay mabigyan na ng pagkakataon ang mga estudyante na pumasok na sa paaralan upang mas maging epektibo ang pagkatuto. Pero bago ang lahat ng iyon, dapat ay bigyan din ng konsiderasyon ang mga estudyante na manggagaling pa sa mga probinsya at mga on-site na nagtatrabaho,” Lozano remarked.

The student hopes that the university retains its promise in upholding quality education to the students. Additionally, every PUPian desires the university to continue its heritage of drawing itself closer to the less fortunate and marginalized areas of the society.

The calls for in-person classes intensifies as the COCians seek for a better and high quality education, which every student deserves. Students also seek to acknowledge their sentiments by the university. In addition, the university and the college have been preparing for the face-to-face resumption of classes, and the COCians intend to be with their co-PUPians for the LBE in ensuring the protection of every student.

Moreover, the students aspire to return to the campus without hesitation about the possible danger and risks of the COVID-19 pandemic. With all the aforementioned responses from the students, all COCians hold that the university and college should put the studentry as their utmost priority.

Furthermore, the continuous battle of the student body for quality and accessible education sharpens the COCians’ desire to oppose the inhuman learning modality as part of the country’s ‘new normal education system.’ In line with this, COCians will continue to fight, on behalf of the Filipino Youth, for the education that they deserve.

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

Graphics: Aldreich Pascual, Hannah May Manalo, Cathlyn Keshel de Raya