UPLB suspends online classes as quarantine takes effect

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna –– The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) announced Tuesday that online classes were suspended until April 12, as a Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19 was declared Monday night.

UPLB Chancellor Fernando Sanchez Jr., issued the memo Tuesday morning, following a memo issued by the UP Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, suspending online classes in all UP campuses until April 14.

The UP Open University, however, is exempted from the class suspensions.

Some student groups in UPLB called for the suspension of online classes, which started Monday, because of limited internet access.

Dr. Ma. Larissa Lelu Gata, sociology and social forestry professor, said at least three students per section in her classes do not have internet access.

The online setup would only work if resources and technological proficiency are present, said John Patrick Habacon, a UPLB alumnus, who teaches at a private university in Calamba City.

“The assumption is that for distance learning to be effective, the mechanisms used to facilitate it are already in place, like the availability of technological devices, stable internet connectivity, and technological know-how.

Otherwise, it would only be a burden to both users, and learning could not be effectively delivered,” he said./lzb