University of the Philippines (left) and Ateneo de Manila University
MANILA, Philippines—Mixed reactions greeted the announcement of the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University to start their school year in August instead of June.
Following the announcement, the keywords “UP Diliman” trended on Twitter. According to UP, the Diliman campus will retain the old academic calendar.
Netizen Emerson Kim Lineses tweeted, “It’s about time leading state and private HEIs adopt global-education-sensitive policies. It’s a global stage out there!”
Similarly, @ijaspero said, “the Academic Calendar change will benefit both local and foreign students—esp. for exchange and migrating students.”
Reader philspratly said the country should change the school opening because education was affected by globalization.
“Summer is of course hot but it is still manageable to hold classes because traditionally many or all universities offer summer classes or courses. Rainy season starts in June and by shifting to [the] August opening, we are able to [prevent]… declaring so many ‘no classes’ [in] June and July. I believe there are more benefits to this change than the minuses,” philspratly said.
But some are against the change in the UP and Ateneo academic calendars.
“So, during the hottest months of the year, there will be school? For the past four years, the floods and strong rains have happened in August and September. Is this move to avoid the floods or align with the rest of Asia? Malaysia has a Jan to Dec schedule, as does another Australia. Doesn’t it make more sense to align with these neighbors than with the rest? If it is to avoid the rains and floods, August does not make sense,” Eric Angulo said.
Forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun posted: “Seriously, shifting to a new acad calender is esp hard for the college of med and PGH. Pero may balls kami sa UP Manila hehehe.”
A certain Batang 80’s posted: “I’m still not in favor. Why? Because of the climate, our culture and tradition. Ang mga dayuhang estudyante lang ang makikinabang dito. Imagine, tuwing tag-init nag-aaral ka, pagdating pa ng panahon ng bagyo, nag-aaral ka pa din. Ang pamilya mo nagbabakasyon sa boracay, ikaw nag-aaral. Kung lahat ng eskwelahan gagawing August to May, tiyak dadami ang mga batang may kuto.”
“So if Ateneo starts classes in August, technically wala pa silang students by July when the #UAAP opens. Di na sila kasali? Hahaha,” netizen Jong D. G. (@attyjong) posted.
@wookiechullie said: “Loool so ang ibang UP campuses, August na ang pasukan. Sa Diliman, June parin? Medyo hassle ha hahahaha”
“My thoughts: if most of the major universities shift their academic calendars, majority of large companies would adjust their hiring schedule accordingly. This might put UPD grads at a disadvantage,” reader Dan Frago said.
Steph Landicho (@steplewire) believes that there is another reason for the state university’s decision to change the academic calendar: “Hindi kaya ayaw ng UP Diliman maglipat ng Acad Calendar dahil sa timing ng pamumukadkad ng sunflowers? Just kidding.”
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UP, Ateneo classes to start in August