THE STUDENT Council Alliance of the Philippines, along with other student and youth organizations, urged the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education to declare an academic ease following the devastation wrought by Typhoon Odette.

SCAP and other groups called on the two agencies to help the students affected by the storm by directing public and private schools to suspend classes, deadlines, and academic requirements.

Akbayan Party-list second nominee Dr. RJ Naguit stressed that suspending classes will help ease the burden of the affected students and their families.

Many areas in Visayas and Mindanao remain without electricity and internet after being lashed by this year’s strongest typhoon.

This situation left many students with limited access to the internet and power supply, making it difficult to attend online classes and meet academic requirements.

“Their situation is not a question of discipline, it’s a matter of privilege that the broad studentry does not have. In these trying times, they need compassion, not pressure. They need help, not punishment if they cannot comply” SCAP National Chairperson Ken Paolo Gilo said.

The group  urged other student and youth organizations to sign their Unity Statement, asserting “the suspension of classes, deadlines, and academic requirements with utmost consideration for the students during these trying times.”