THE PAMANTASAN ng Lungsod ng Maynila moved its opening of classes to September 3, giving ample time for students and faculty members to prepare for the usage of flexible learning schemes.

As posted on its Facebook page, the school said its Board of Regents approved the adjustment of classes last June 15 via teleconference, as face-to-face classes are still prohibited due to the threat of Covid19.

PLM retracted from its earlier pronouncement that it will open classes in August, but with only ‘a limited number of students and staff returning to campus premises,’ as the country’s coronavirus infections are still increasing.

Meanwhile, the school also announced that classes in all levels for the coming school year 2020-2021 will be held online while looking at other channels to help students without the means to participate in online classes.

“President (Emmanuel) Leyco earlier announced that classes in all levels during the upcoming semester will be delivered online … PLM acknowledges the digital divide as gadgets and stable internet may not be available to all. The university is also retrofitting its facilities, retraining the faculty, and reprioritizing its annual budget to cater to these changes.” the announcement read.

PLM earlier allowed ‘mass promotion’ among its students to lessen their worries as the country remained in quarantine.

The students, however, expressed varied reactions to the flexible learning schemes being planned by the education leadership for the coming school year 2020-2021.

For incoming 3rd year Engineering student Jazer Barrios, online classes would be ‘ineffective.’

“Knowing the stability of the internet connection in our country, it would be ineffective. Some students in other universities are already having a hard time, climbing mountains, waiting for midnights, and the like, just to have a stable internet connection. Just the thought of this, makes me say no to online classes. Yet we’ll still adhere to the university’s flow,” Barrios said.

Barrios is also concerned of students being ‘left behind’ for the opening of classes.

“Pursuing to create a platform wherein no student is left behind is a noble concept that PLM seeks to. However, given that the economy is depreciating, as the community is still in quarantine. I think some students would be left behind, putting into account the harshness of Covid19 in our daily lives,” Barrios lamented.

This developed as Commission on Higher Education chairman Prospero ‘Popoy’ De Vera, III asserted that the country is ready to open the classes in August using flexible learning schemes.

“We are ready to open (classes) this August. No ifs, no buts. Learning must continue. We learn as one. We are ready,” he stressed.

De Vera also emphasized that no face-to-face classes will take place in August.

“CHED wants to make it very clear that higher education institutions (HEIs) will open the semester in August using flexible learning mode. There are no regular face-to-face classes in August.”