The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) has rejected calls for an academic freeze as students and teachers continue to struggle under the blended distant learning setup due to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) crisis.
In a Facebook post, the university said all of its college student councils, including the PLM Supreme Student Council, are opposed to the imposition of an academic freeze.
"PLM SAYS NO TO ACADEMIC FREEZE! This is to correct any wrong notions that PLM even considered stopping the thousands of students who have enrolled from starting the academic year on October 5, as suggested by a small group of students," its post read.
PLM President Emmanuel Leyco, who recently convened the university's student leaders to discuss before the opening of classes, said PLM's official student publication misrepresented him.
“I am quite disappointed that some quarters would like to present my statement as supporting their call for academic freeze," he said in a statement.
"PLM faculty and staff have been working feverishly to prepare the university’s digital platform and modular materials and find it unfair for these quarters, particularly Ang Pamantasan to inaccurately portray my position," he added.
Earlier, Leyco said the university will consider applications for leave of absence to students who may not be able to continue their classes. It will provide modular materials for those who have problems with connectivity and/or computer gadgets.