All UP students likely to pass this semester

No student of the University of the Philippines (UP) will get a failing grade this semester, the university's Office of the Student Regent (OSR) said in a report by GMA News.

In a Twitter post, the OSR said UP will implement a no fail policy which means no one will get a grade of "4" or "5".  It said the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs will release the guidelines soon.

UP to implement a no fail policy this semester where a grade of “4” or “5” shall not be given.

OVPAA to release guidelines soon.#PassAllUP #EndTheSemUP#WalangIwananUP pic.twitter.com/VpjZQbXfNy

— UP Office of the Student Regent (@uposr) November 26, 2020

"This is an initial victory for the UP student body as we continuously fight for the most inclusive and compassionate solutions for our education! UP, pakinggan ang UP community!" the OSR said in a tweet.

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UP authorities made the decision amid calls for them to end the current semester and pass all students following a series of destructive typhoons that worsened existing issues in remote learning brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 15,000 people, including 300 faculty members, and over 200 student organizations have signed petitions initiated by the student councils and alliances of various UP units, according to the OSR.

UP Baguio, Diliman, Los Baños, Manila CAS, Visayas, Mindanao, and Open University have launched separate signature drives.

UP Diliman's Rise for Education Alliance said issues in remote learning were compounded by the damage caused by recent typhoons, which caused widespread flooding in many areas in Luzon.

"Due to the onslaught of consecutive typhoons, more members of the UP community suffer from further inaccessibility to resources such as internet connectivity and learning devices, with some students being gravely affected by the disaster," the alliance said. 

"Amidst all of these, students are still obligated to worry about their academic deadlines instead of focusing solely on recovering from the repercussions that the recent calamities have caused, which were amplified due to the government’s negligence," it added.

The alliance urged university authorities to give a grade of "P" or pass for all enrolled undergraduate and graduate students in the current semester.

They also called for the provision of accessible alternative learning channels that will have no bearing on the academic standing of the students and for adjustments in the curriculum and school calendar in succeeding semesters.

The student regent's office said all petitions will be submitted to the members of the UP Board of Regents during their meeting on Thursday.