STUDENTS from  the University of the Philippines launched a petition for a genuine academic ease to give a breather to those affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette and the recent surge in Covid19 cases in the country.

The students requested an extension to the deadline of submission of grades up to mid-February 2022 and a wellness break between the 1st and 2nd semester.

They noted that the UP campuses in Visayas and Mindanao are still on relief and reconstruction efforts because of Typhoon Odette while Metro Manila and Laguna campuses face the threat of the Omicron variant.

“While our 1st semester of Academic Year 2021-2022 is already concluding, students and faculty members are now juggling their time taking care of the needs of their respective families as the number of Covid19 infections grow as they try to juggle their academic tasks and requirements,” the petition said.

The break, they said, could also be used to strategize with the different sectors of the UP community for the plans of the next semesters.

Over 400 people have signed the petition which was also supported by Kabataan Party-list Representative Sarah Jane Elago.