Believing that distance learning poses more disadvantages than advantages, over 124 organizations called on the government to ensure quality and accessible education by allowing the safe reopening of schools that would pave the way for face-to-face classes.

“There has been a widespread and continuing clamor across the education sector, from students, teachers, and non-teaching staff, for #LigtasNaBalikEskwela,” said National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) Head of Campaigns and Advocacies Coleen Mañibo in a statement issued Monday, Aug. 23.

Signed by over 124 organizations and 200 individuals, a unity statement was also released by NUSP on Aug. 21 to assert the urgency of the safe reopening of physical classes.

“We want to return to face-to-face classes, for it is clear to us that distance learning poses more risks and drawbacks than it does with benefits,” Mañibo said.

“Many students and teachers are having difficulties in coping, and many have already dropped out of their schools,” she added.

In the unity statement, NUSP pointed out that the Duterte administration has “fallen short” in presenting comprehensive plans for the education sector amid the pandemic.

The group also alleged that the current administration also failed to implement efforts to make way for the safe reopening of classes.

Mañibo said that many parents, learners, and teachers have been struggling to cope with the demands of distance learning.

“This is unsustainable and thus, must be addressed now. But even with the continuous clamor of the education sector for the past year, the government has done nothing,” she explained.

For NUSP and other groups, a year of “inaction is too much” thus, the concerns and demands of the education sector must be recognized and addressed as soon as possible.

Titled Building Bridges: “Ligtas na Balik-Eskwela,” the unity statement was released as part of NUSP’s Education Week (Daluyong) which is a series of events that tackled the current state of the education system along with its campaigns.

This event-filled week is the first of four build-up weeks leading up to NUSP’s 2021 National Congress. It will be followed by the National Affairs Week (Island Hopping), the Students’ Rights and Welfare Week (Aguhon) and the Anniversary Week (KASANG64 sa PAGLAYAG) where the union will be celebrating its 64th anniversary since its establishment in 1957.

These build-up events are packed with webinars, workshops, and interactive sessions that will serve as a venue to foster proactive student-leaders nationwide.

The National Congress, with the theme “LAYAG: Navigating Student Leadership amid Turbulent Times,” will be the largest gathering of student councils and leaders nationwide. It will be held from Sept. 18 to 19, 2021.