Classes vis-à-vis the Impending Transport Strike (HE Memo#Y2.58)

HE Memo#Y2.58
13 August 2024

As announced in the news, there is an impending 3-day transport strike nationwide from 14 to 16 August. We anticipate a consequent disruption in our schedules but we have ways of coping with such complexity.

While life outside our premises moves in the way it does, we in Higher Education also have a life to lead on our own. I can imagine classes trying to get started and find their bearings in these first few weeks of the First Semester.  

In light of this, we are going to continue holding classes onsite as much as it is feasible to do so for Wednesday, 14^th August and Thursday, 15^th August in the Schools of Education and Learning Design, Humanities, Management, Science and Engineering, and Social Sciences.  As we know classes in these schools are suspended in view of Faculty Day on Friday, 16^th August.

But I ask that we exercise understanding to those who might be affected by the strike.  Open communication is important between faculty and students. I trust in the faculty members’ good and well-discerned decisions.  If they are unable to come to classes because of the transport strike, may I ask the students to be kind enough to send a message to their teachers? I, likewise, kindly ask the teachers to respond compassionately. 

We know from our experience of past transport strikes that when the coverage paralyzes major sectors of the thoroughfare, our default response is to shift to the online teaching and learning mode.  We will continue to uphold this practice.

For the Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Law, Government, and Business, the respective Deans of these schools shall make the necessary announcements that are appropriate in their contexts.

We remain calm and patient to be able to handle the adversities that may come our way. Stay safe always!