Student group protests shift in UP Diliman academic calendar 

(Updated 5:05 p.m.) A student group on Friday staged a protest rally against the proposed change in the University of the Philippines Diliman campus' academic calendar that will start in August instead of June for the School Year 2014-2015.

Members of the Student group "Ctrl-Shift Movement" blocked members of the UP System's Board of Regents, including UP President Alfredo Pascual and Senator Pia Cayetano, from entering the Executive House at UP Diliman, where they will discuss and finalize the proposed shift in the academic calendar.

"Wala namang pagbabago na walang maapektuhan, kaya nga kailangang sama-sama tayong mag-a-adjust. Bakit ayaw ninyo ng pagbabago? Sabihin ninyo sa akin," Pascual asked the group of students standing in his way.

"Sir kung yung pagbabagong iyon hindi para sa pag-unlad ng mga estudyante, para sa mga manininda..." replied Ctrl-Shift Movement member and University Student Council councilor Erra Zabat, to which Pascual answered "Bakit kami nagpapakahirap na gawin ito kung hindi ito para sa pag-unlad ng unibersidad?"

Asked on his definition of improvement, the UP system president said it is producing graduates that are not just locally aware in the country but also regionally aware in Southeast Asia.

"Napaka-importante noon kasi ang leadership ba ng Pilipino ay sa Pilipinas na lang? ang leadership ng pilipino ay dapat maramdaman sa buong rehiyon na perte ang Pilipinas."

The group argued that instead of pouring time over the academic calendar shift, the school board should prioritize "bigger problems."

Zabat told GMA News Online that the university should focus on improving the quality of education and the university's equipment.

The group argued that instead of pouring time over the academic calendar shift, the school board should prioritize "bigger problems."

Ctrl-Shift Movement member and University Student Council councilor Erra Zabat said the university should focus on improving the quality of education and the university's equipment.

She added that the shift would affect many students, including those from regional areas who are also farmers.

Zabat explained that should the academic calendar be shifted, many student farmers will not be able to help out with their families during the harvest season.

She also noted that weather should not be a factor in the shift "dahil nakita mo namang umuulan kahit November... [may] Yolanda nga e," referring to the killer typhoon last November.

As a response, UP President Alfredo Pascual, who was among those blocked by the group from entering the building, said the academic calendar needs to be changed to harmonize it with other ASEAN and regional colleges and universities.

"Mayroon tayong mga joint program [with some SEAN learning institutions]," he said

He added that the weather is not a factor for the academic calendar to be changed.

"Hindi dapat basehan 'yun," he added.

He also assured the students the UP Diliman administration has done appropriate consultations.

"Mayroon tayong proseso," he noted. "Kinuha natin ang reaction ng League of College Councils, 78 percent is pro and 19 percent is against" the shift.

"Nagkaroon ulit ng survey ang USC. Sample size is 3,000. More than 1,800 ang pabor," he noted. — with a report from Roehl Niño Bautista/LBG/VC, GMA News