Classes vis-à-vis Transport Strike (HE Memo#Y2.29)

HE Memo#Y2.29
28 April 2024

This month is ending with a nationwide transport strike, 29-30 April, as has been announced in the papers the last two days.  The strike is up to May 1, in fact. We anticipate a consequent disruption in our schedules but we have ways of coping with such complexity.

 While life outside our premises moves in the way it does, we in Higher Education also have a life to lead on our own. I can imagine classes trying to finish the matter promised in their syllabi. We only have a few weeks left before final exams and the end of the second semester.

In light of this, we are going to continue holding classes onsite as much as it is feasible to do so for Monday and Tuesday, the 29th and the 30th of April for the Schools of Education and Learning Design, Humanities, Management, Science and Engineering, and Social Sciences.  But I ask that we exercise understanding to those who might be affected by the strike.  Open communication is important between faculty and students. I trust in the faculty members’ good and well-discerned decisions.  If they are unable to come to classes because of the transport strike, may I ask the students to be kind enough to send a message to their teachers? I, likewise, kindly ask the teachers to respond compassionately. 

We know from our experience of past transport strikes that when the coverage paralyzes major sectors of the thoroughfare, our default response is to shift to the online teaching and learning mode.  We will continue to uphold this practice.

For the Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Law, Government, and Business, the respective Deans of these schools shall make the necessary announcements that are appropriate to their contexts.

We remain calm and patient to be able to handle the oppressive heat and other adversities that may come our way. Stay safe always!