November 12, 2020 

 · 
ACADEMIC EASE NOW!
The current set-up of our educational system under the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to fully
embody the resounding call of members of the education sector across the country for
compassionate and strategic conduct and plans. Administrators, students, and teachers are left on
their own to craft coping mechanisms for learning. With only a few weeks left before the end of
the semester, grievances are still rampant. Student councils and student organizations continue to
forward demands after demands. This leads us to conclude that online learning in the context of
our country and this pandemic has proven itself ineffective.
Over the course of this semester, constituents of the University of the Philippines Baguio rallied
demands that seek to ensure their rights and welfare. Our administration has been responsive and
approachable so far, and we have achieved small victories for the studentry. The Kaagapay UP
Fundraising and Resource Generation Campaign has acquired devices for students in need. Some
teachers uphold a compassionate ruling on academic requirements. Students strive to meet
deadlines and coordinate with their teachers for their concerns. However, a lot of what has been
asked before remains only in paper. Most inquiries were referred to other offices despite
administrators having the capacity to, at the very least, endorse the demands forwarded by
students and teachers.
In such light, the remaining days of this semester further the burden of online learning. We now
stand at a place of burnout, fatigue, and emotional breakdowns. To put it simply, everyone is
tired. The emergence of typhoons only worsens the situation as affected constituents, no matter
how small their number is, need to worry about survival. These, along with the standing social
issues that plague our country, compel us to call for academic ease.
Academic ease shall mean the following:
1. Lessen academic requirements per course and heighten consideration on deadlines.
Students reported that teachers deduct points for late submissions which can be unfair in the
context of our online learning. Internet connectivity and the availability of devices are issues still
faced by students up to this date. More so, courses are loaded with requirements that go beyond
the usual experience of students in normal, face-to-face classes.
2. No weekly synchronous classes. Recorded lectures and/or other alternatives shall be made
available for those who were unable to attend synchronous classes.
Recorded video lectures should supplement reading materials as they serve as a vital guide for
students to understand the lessons in light of self-learning. Synchronous classes are still needed;
however, connectivity issues plague our online learning system, and not all students can
smoothly attend and participate in synchronous classes. Although there are teachers who were
able to devise workable adjustments, some still insist on weekly synchronous classes (even if
they, too, are experiencing connectivity issues). Lessening synchronous classes can benefit
students and teachers alike.
3. Remove attendance as a grading component or as a course requirement.
Students encounter internet connection issues while attending online classes, and again, not
everyone can afford to attend synchronous classes. In the context of asynchronous classes, some
students are required to acknowledge emails every week for a limited time as a part of their
graded attendance.
4. No student should receive a failing grade (5.0). University guidelines on mass promotion
should still be in place (i.e. deferred grades for INC, one academic year allotted for completion,
or better adjustments in case there should be any).
This is an embodiment of our university’s call for compassionate conduct on learning.
5. Semestral breaks should be implemented as breaks with no deadlines or class requirements.
In line with lessening academic requirements, the university should ensure that semestral breaks
are allotted for students to genuinely take a time off from requirements. A break is not a break if
students are still compelled to spend their time attending to their academic responsibilities.
6. Matriculation fees should not be collected under a remote-learning set-up.
This pandemic has worsened the economic conditions of many families. Students already
registered through surveys conducted by the UPB University Student Council that they lack
devices, their parents are paid less, they struggle to survive this health crisis, they need to work
to finance their studies, and many other concerns that involve finance. Financial support and
assistance shall be automatically offered instead of continuing the collection of fees.
7. The UP Baguio administration should release a memorandum supporting or agreeing to the
terms of academic ease. Such a memorandum should also direct the UPB Community to uphold
such demands.
Instead of being referred again to other offices of the UP system, it is about time that our
administrators extend their full support by releasing actual directives in line with our demands.
This is not to say that they have been unresponsive. Instead, this is a step forward for our
campaign.
The general situation of our education system under this pandemic is flawed and inconsiderate,
upheld by incompetent and corrupt government leaders. As the premiere university of the
country, we should forward the best interest of the education sector and go against the tide of
problematic policies and guidelines. The call for academic ease, if heeded, will surely stand as an
example that we, as the Iskolar ng Bayan, work collectively and pro-actively in pursuing the
rights and welfare of the youth and the people.
#AcademicEaseNow
#WalangIwananUP
#BetterNormalUP

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