KABATAAN Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago urged the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to heed the appeal of students for ‘academic ease.’

She urged schools and universities to declare an academic break to assess the situation.

Schools also need to review faculty and student workload; implement a ‘no fail’ policy; and provide aid to those in need of food, shelter and other necessities, the lawmaker said.

“Easing of academic load is necessary to help students and members of faculty and education support personnel affected by the typhoons,” Elago said in a statement.

“Kung walang pasok, dapat mayroong extension ng pasahan ng requirements. Makatuwiran lamang ito sa tindi ng pinsala ng kalamidad sa buhay, bahay, imprastraktura ng internet, komunikasyon at iba pang kailangan sa blended distance education. It’s imperative that DepEd and CHEd review the guidelines for remote learning class suspension,” she said.

Elago lauded De La Salle University for declaring an ‘academic easing’  from November 16 to 21.

“Malaking bagay ang naging hakbang ng DLSU upang makapagbigay ng panahon para sa mga estudyante at guro na makapag pokus sa pagsasaayos o pagtulong din sa mga nasalanta,” she said.

“Mahalaga ring alam at malinaw sa mga estudyante, guro at kawani na binigyan ng karampatang konsiderasyon ang mga tinamaan ng kalamidad nang makapagbigay sila ng buong atensyon  sa kanilang kaligtasan at pagtulong na rin sa pamilya at nasalantang komunidad,” she added.