Students' alliance: Shift in PHL academic calendar will commercialize education

The National Union of Students of the Philippines has voiced opposition to planned moves to push back the start of the academic year to August or September, saying it is impractical and will further commercialize education.

 

In a statement, NUSP said the move to "internationalize" Philippine education is meant "to serve the political and economic thrusts of globalizing economic mammoths such as the [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] and imperialist countries such as the [U.S.]."

 

Adamson University plans to start its 2014-2015 academic year in August while the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and the University of Santo Tomas are considering similar changes to their academic calendars. 
 

In an earlier report, lawyer Joel Noel Estrada of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations said adjusting the academic calendar will allow better exchanges with counterparts in the region.

 

"[They can] easily come to us, at tayo rin pwedeng magpadala ng mga studyante, exchange programs, research programs. Pati mga graduates natin and professionals, meron nang mutual recognition. Ibig sabihin, professionals natin dito, professional din sa mga member ASEAN nations," he said.

 

But NUSP said this will encourage students to leave the country "to serve the global masters as global slaves." Instead, the group said, "they should be encouraged to stay in the country and serve their fellow citizens."

 

NUSP added the move is motivated by profit and will allow schools to collect additional fees to prepare for the new academic calendar.

 

"Universities and colleges will [also ]revise and offer degree programs on-demand by their foreign counterparts and dominant foreign institutions and countries," it said.

 

Shifting the school year to accommodate foreign students is a move for economic growth and not academic growth, the group said. 

 

NUSP also said the new academic calendar is "highly impractical" for the Philippines because classes will be held during "the hottest months of the tropical year."

 

Moving the start of classes will also mean students, especially in farming communities, might not be able to afford to go to school because of the agricultural calendar, the group said.

 

The Commission on Higher Education has cautioned schools against adjusting the academic calendar.

 

"Think about this very carefully. It has repercussions on basic ed. What will we do? You will have students graduating from high school in March, and then [they will have to] wait until August and September? Licensure examinations when you graduate, and then wala ka nang period for review," CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan said last week.

 

The Department of Education has said it will study the effects of the proposed shift on basic education. DepEd undersecretary Tonisito Umali has said, though, that there is "no compelling reason" to adjust the academic calendars of primary and secondary schools. — KDM, GMA News