STUDENTS of the Technological University of the Philippines held an online rally on Sunday night after the school refused to give them a Holy Week break.

The TUP-University Student Government Manila said the administration declined the request of the Student Regent and student-representatives of TUP campuses to suspend classes for a week in observance of the Holy Week.

TUP said that a “slowdown” of classes will be observed from March 29 to 31 and no exams shall be given but professors may conduct classes.

“The [modified Academic Consolidation Week] is a period to allow students to catch up with the requirements of the class to check papers, to update their class records, to give time to the students to review the lessons so far discussed, to consult with the students to remedy their difficulties, and to perform other similar academic activities,” the Vice President for Academic Affairs said in a memorandum posted on Facebook.

“In this regard, all faculty members both fulltime and part-time may hold academic catch-up activities including class lecture (synchronous or asynchronous mode) but no examination, quiz, and giving of additional assignments and other related academic activities should be made,” it added.

Using #TUPHearUs, #SuspensionHindiSlowdown, and #UpholdDemocraticRights, the students took to social media to air their displeasure.

“Pati ba naman HOLY WEEK gusto niyo nasa isip namin pag-aaral pa rin at pagrereview…Suspension, hindi Modified Academic Consolidation Week!” one student said on Twitter.

“Mariin kong kinukundena ang pagpagsasawalang bahala ni Torres sa panawagan ng isang lehitimong suspension ngayong Semana Santa. Suspension, hindi Modified Academic Consolidation Week,” another one said.