THE NUMBER of students at the Negros Oriental State University dropped by 12.97 percent in the second semester of Academic Year 2020-2021.

The student population declined to 23,964  from 27,535, the school said.

Its Siaton campus recorded a 24.30 percent drop, 23.05 percent for Mabinay campus, and 17.65 percent and 9.76 percent for Guihulngan and Bayawan-Sta. Catalina campuses, respectively.

As of April 21, the two campuses in Dumaguete had the largest number of enrollees — 12,639 —according to University Registrar Reymil Cadapan.

A junior BS Psychology student said that the decline in the number of enrollees was due to the struggles on distance learning.

“The drop in the number of students enrolled in this semester showed how this pandemic has affected the students. They may be facing struggles since we’re having virtual classes which clearly is not easy for everyone,” Krisha Mae Altabarino said.