THE SAMAHAN ng Progresibong Kabataan called on the Commission on Higher Education to take a more active role in looking after the plight of students especially those hit by calamities.

The group decried the seeming inaction of CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera on issues that confront students.

In a statement, SPARK said instead of helping institutions or students, the commission had been busy holding webinars.

“SPARK condemns this deregulated and devolved manner of decision-making on the part of the CHED,” the group said.

“All this shows is that the agency remains unmoved and isolated since the time students had called for the suspension of online classes, the reduction of tuition and other school fees, the rejection of increases, and refund of unused school fees just months prior,” it added.

SPARK said most higher educational institutions they monitored continued to conduct classes even if some of their students have been affected by typhoons.

These institutions that also rejected calls for a break include the University of the Philippines system, Adamson University, University of the East, Technological University of the Philippines, and Cavite State University-Main Campus, the group said.

“We demand comprehensive guidelines for class suspensions and adjustments of deadlines, rather than this blatant neglect of duty amid one of the worst educational crises in recent history,” it said.

The POST tried but failed to get the side of De Vera on the issue.