CHED urges people behind calls for academic freeze to submit formal petition

Some youth groups and parents had been calling for an academic freeze until January next year. It is to give the government an ample amount of time in preparing for the shift to a flexible mode of learning as COVID-19 cases in the country continue to rise.

Photo credit: rappler.com

On Thursday, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) urged those calling for an academic freeze to submit a formal petition to postpone the academic year.

CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera said that if they will submit a proposal, it must include a study that would serve as a basis for the implementation of suspending studies for the school year or academic freeze.

I suggest those who are proposing any change in the academic policy, do a serious study, compute the cost, look at options, look at the parameters and submit it to the commission,

De Vera said in a press conference.

The Department of Education (DepEd) which oversees the basic education system in the country, earlier, rejected the calls for an academic freeze. 

DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said in a briefing that the proposal does not consider the effects of prolonged interruption in the learning process of children. Also, private school groups rejected calls for academic freeze as its effects are serious and compounding such as learning loss.

Academic freeze was recently trending in the social media, many affected learners had been posting their problems such as no gadgets and poor signal. As for private school students who had started their online class argued that they are overwhelmed with so much activities which causes them stress. Post from different guardians and family members of the students went viral.

CHED has urged universities and colleges to implement flexible learning, where the mode of learning will be customized depending on resources available to students and educators. This can be done through online classes, and printed and digital learning materials, among others.