The City Council has urged the higher educational institutions (HEI) in the city to “mass promote” its students to wrap up the second semester of the academic year (AY) 2019-2020.
Myka Magbanua, the author of SDR No. 105-2020, observed that the city has limited access to electricity and internet services which may hamper the compliance of certain underprivileged students with online requirements imposed by the educational institutions.
“May HEIs reconsider to end the semester and mass promote the students for the benefit of all (para sa kabutihan ng lahat),” Magbanua said.
Magbanua, in her explanatory note, cited the recent news report involving a certain student from Capiz State University Dumarao Campus, who allegedly died in a road accident after looking for an internet signal to submit the requirements online.
“We do not want to risk our youth here in the City and the Province,” Magbanua’s explanatory said.
The proposed mass promotion, if adopted, will mean that every student will get a “P” instead of numerical data based on their performance from January to March 2020. No “incomplete (INC)” or “failed (F)” grade will be given, provided that the students complied with the requirements during the first three months of the second semester.
Subsequently, students who have previously withdrawn or dropped from their subjects prior to the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) were excluded from the resolution, retaining their status.
In an online poll conducted by Palawan State University-University Student Government (PSU-USG), many students expressed concerns about holding classes and submitting requirements online, pointing out the lack of internet serviceability in certain municipalities throughout the province.
Dr. Ramon Docto, university president of PSU, in an earlier statement, maintained that the university’s decision to extend the semester until May 30 was based on the guidelines set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The Council, which adopted the proposed resolution as a body, saw the need for the expression of their sentiments towards the HEI, and immediately passed the proposed resolution dispensing the second and final readings.
HEIs in Puerto Princesa City, including Palawan State University (PSU), Western Philippines University (WPU), Holy Trinity University (HTU), and others, are yet to receive a copy of the resolution and decide on its adoption.
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