@hataw.pup

THE RATIONAL.

est. 2015

On March 20, 2023, the second semester of the Academic Year, 2022-2023 commenced and most of the students were excited because it was also an indication that face-to-face classes were going to be implemented as well. This has been the most anticipated event for everyone, especially for the iskos because finally after three years of online learning modality, there will be on-site learning where the iskos will fully experience the facilities, classrooms, and quality education that everyone has been longing for ever since the online setup started. As for the guidelines that were released a month before the commencement of the second semester, there would be a total of six on-site meetings of all major subjects of all programs and it also includes the core, board, laboratories, PE, and NSTP courses while the rest will be online setting obviously, the setting would be a blended learning. This was already a win situation for every iskos even though months before, the President of the PUP announced that there would be a full face-to-face implementation. As for the preparation for the upcoming semester, students have already been renting, scouting, and booking dormitories for them as their place of residence once the second semester started. However, a week after the commencement of the second semester, there was a power outage that circulates the whole PUP Main campus due to the transition of generators from the lighting company. Days after, different student organizations announced that the on-site learning

would be canceled and will be held online until further notice. And this inconvenience has affected a lot of students especially those who have already been in their dormitories because they expected that face-to-face classes will be ongoing for the whole semester.

Sadly, this incident caused a huge nuisance not only for the students but also for the faculty, and the parents. For students, those who already rented dormitories for them to be able to attend their on-site classes were dismayed because it was quite unexpected and the primary reason why they are in their dormitories is because of face-to-face classes which are being put on hold due to the power outage which students have no control of. Students have been asking why the power outage was circulated on the verge of the implementation of on-site classes which will put them in an unfavorable situation. Yet, there were no concrete announcements or guidelines that the administration disseminated for students to be aware of the situation. Furthermore, on-site classes as stated above have been the most anticipated event for iskos, and it was taken away from them in only a matter of days. There were no clear announcements that students could rely on which also caused confusion because some students have been saying that the on-site classes were still ongoing even though there is a power outage meanwhile some students and organizations have informed their co-students otherwise. As for the faculty, there would be

major adjustments, especially on the schedules that have been set for face-to-face classes due to the power outage. The dates affected will be rescheduled which is also a hassle for them because of the time and commitments that have been also set prior to the incident. As for the parents, their hassle especially the payments for dormitories of their children, as well as the uncertainties of the dates when will be the power would be brought back. Most of the students were also dependent on their parents, and it is quite difficult for them to adjust to this especially since it is their expectation that face-to-face classes would be continuous for the whole semester. It is their wish to have concrete guidelines or at least an announcement from the administration regarding this issue.

And it is the administration’s job to inform the public especially the students about this pressing occurrence that caused a huge hassle for everyone. Addressing this issue would be a primary step and dissemination of information would ease the worries of those affected. In this time of uncertainty, it should be a collective effort of those in the position to give the public insurance especially those who are gravely affected by this incident.

THE RATIONAL

THE RATIONAL

MODERATOR CORNER

Ella is a BSCPE 1-6 student from PUP Manila, and a member of Hataw PUP from Social Media Department. Currently, she is managing the official website of the organization - The Rational corner.