MANILA, Philippines — An organization of university student councils on Friday called for the immediate termination of the current academic semester amid the COVID-19 outbreak in the Philippines, rather than extending the semester or continuing it through online classes. Our call to end the semester and to promote students en masse does not need to set this aside. Students stand on the same side as everyone on the receiving end of financial, psychological, and emotional stress brought about by the pandemic. “Online learning, meanwhile, does not guarantee quality education and excludes those without stable internet access and devices...online classes disregard the varying resources among students,” their statement read. RELATED: Ateneo praised for decision to pass students and give tuition fee refundsThe University of Santo Tomas went the opposite route, continuing online classes after the quarantine extension until the end of the month was announced.

Source: Philippine Star April 10, 2020 09:00 UTC