Heads of 75 local colleges, universities oppose ‘mass promotion’ of students

MANILA, Philippines — The presidents and heads of 75 local universities and colleges in the country “discouraged” the mass promotion of students during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a joint advisory, the Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU) and the Commission on Accreditation for Local Colleges and Universities (ALCUCOA), said that the move to discourage mass promotion seeks to “preserve academic integrity of all courses particularly board based programs and OJT (on-the-job training) where quality and content cannot be compromised.”

“We are against the mass promotion which means hindi na tatapusin yung sem (the semester will not be finished), everybody will just pass,” Dr. Albert D. Madrigal, ALCU director, told INQUIRER.net over the phone.

The group said that students’ academic performance can be measured by a grading system adopted by the universities and colleges.

Instead, they proposed the implementation of Seamless-Blended-Digital (SBD) Program for the second semester and summer period of School Year (SY) 2019-2020.

“This can be our modest display and gesture of support to our government in the performance of our duty as concerned educators,” the groups said.

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Their proposal also included funding for the procurement of IT equipment and other on-line resources and funding for training of faculty members on on-line instruction, among others.

Further, they also urged local colleges and universities to “intensify volunteerism engagements among faculty and employees.”

For instance, the Pamantasan ng Cabuyao (PNC) has provided a temporary shelter to a number of employees who have committed to provide work so that food supply will be sustained.

“The use of our classrooms as sleeping quarters of these frontline employees will be PNC’s way of helping and assisting the LGU during these difficult times we are facing,” Madrigal, who also serves as the university president of the PNC, said in a statement.

EDV