LATE SUSPENSION announcements and contradicting statements drew angry complaints from students and parents, who criticized the administration over its slow information dissemination system.
Heavy rains lashed the metro last July 26 and August 2, prompting the primary and secondary levels to suspend classes early in the morning. However, the decision to cancel classes in the collegiate level only came at noon.
Many students complained about the late announcements, as some have already braved the rains to get to school on time.
A similar scenario occurred on July 25, when conflicting memos over the suspension of classes for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) caused confusion over which statement to follow.
The administration, however, said the school bases its decision on various government bodies before making an announcement, adding that it wanted to avoid unnecessary class suspensions.
Angry complaints
The heavy downpour on two consecutive Tuesdays prompted the Department of Education to cancel classes. However, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) maintained that the decision for the collegiate level depends on the university administration.
With schools such as the University of Santo Tomas (UST) immediately suspending classes, many Ateneans took to social network sites, asking for updates and complaining about the university’s slow response.
Most affected by the late notices were people living far from the Loyola Heights area.
“It’s a hassle for people like me who live an hour away from school. Once the school suspends classes, the roads would have already been congested and we’re pretty much stuck in traffic for two hours. The day is wasted on travelling without having done anything productive,” said senior Kay Gemzon, who lives in Antipolo.
Even those living near Ateneo were concerned with the lack of updates. “Honestly, Ateneo’s system of info dissemination this school year is terrible. We know that they can’t just suspend classes, but they could at least try to decide within a short or reasonable period of time,” said Kara Marcelo, who resides in the Katipunan area.
One parent commented on Facebook: “To compromise the safety of students early this morning [Aug. 2] was already unspeakable… It is already better to err on the side of caution.”
The day is wasted on travelling without having done anything productive.
– Kay Gemzon, IV AB Eu
Accuracy over speed
Although CHED Memorandum Order No. 34 stipulated that school authorities should make their announcements not later than 5 AM, Assistant to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs (ADSA) for Services Michael Mallillin said the decision is made only after consulting with various government bodies.
“We need to get the official notice from authorized agencies before we come out with our own official announcement, [so] it becomes a waiting game,” he said.
Ateneo’s particular conditions, such as location, are also considered. “We’re not the type of school that needs to panic every time there is rain. We’re not like UST [which is prone to floods].”
Meanwhile, Mallillin explained that confusion during the SONA came from two memos—one from the Quezon City government ordering the suspension of all classes, and one from CHED specifying that the suspension for collegiate classes applied only from 12 PM onwards.
Students did not know which memo to follow, and statements purporting to be “official” flooded social network accounts. Mallillin said his office immediately issued a clarification following the CHED order.
Communication and Public Relations Office Director Sonia Araneta said that they receive the final word on suspensions from either President Villarin himself or from the Facilities Management Office. She adds that the latter collects the decisions of all the units in the university before forwarding it to her office for general dissemination.
Student arm
In response to student complaints, the Sanggunian released a statement on August 5 explaining the protocols on the release and dissemination of suspension announcements.
In the memo, the Sanggunian explained that only the Loyola Schools Vice President (LSVP) or the President can call off classes, after conferring with various units of the school. The LSVP’s office coordinates with ADSA, and the Sanggunian officers relays the information to their constituents.
