UP, Catholic schools suspend classes on EDSA day

MANILA, Philippines — The University of the Philippines (UP) has suspended classes on Feb. 25 to allow students, staff and faculty to observe the 39th anniversary of the EDSA people power revolution.

UP declared Feb. 25 an alternative learning day, with students encouraged to participate in activities that “honor the spirit of People Power, with appropriate learning and work arrangements in place.”

“The University reaffirms its commitment to upholding democratic values, human rights, and the spirit of People Power. Let this occasion serve as a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect and strengthen these principles within our campuses and beyond,” it added.

Earlier, the University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University also announced class suspensions on Feb. 25 to allow students, faculty and staff to join events commemorating the revolt.

Schools under the EDSA-Ortigas Consortium – the Immaculate Conception Academy, La Salle Green Hills, Saint Pedro Poveda College and Xavier School – have also announced class suspensions.

The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines-National Capital Region (CEAP-NCR) “strongly encourages” its around 190 member-schools to declare Feb. 25 a “non-academic, non-working day” to highlight the importance of the EDSA people power revolution and foster a deeper understanding of its significance to the younger generation.

The newly formed Church Leaders Council for National Transformation called on Filipinos to gather at the People Power Monument on Feb. 25 to commemorate the EDSA revolt anniversary and press for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and accountability of President Marcos.

The religious group aims to reignite the spirit of democracy and accountability on three issues – Marcos Singilin (Make Marcos Accountable); Duterte Panagutin (Hold Duterte Responsible) and Sara I-Convict (Convict Sara).

In addition, schools under the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae – Philippines Schools Network (CICM-PSN) are also suspending classes at all levels on Feb. 25.

The CICM-PSN, which includes Maryhill School of Theology, Saint Louis College-Cebu, Saint Louis College-San Fernando City, Saint Mary’s University and the University of Saint Louis, declared it has long upheld its mission of fostering justice and peace within its academic communities.

Kabataan party-list challenged schools to open their campuses for alternative historical discussions for the commemoration of people power.

Renee Louise Co, national spokesperson and first nominee of Kabataan, said that schools should let their students learn something valuable about the history of the 1986 EDSA revolt.

Co said the country needs Filipinos who critically understand the impact, limitations and shortcomings of the revolt.

“Let us allow students to freely converse about pressing issues today that trail back to problems of justice and impunity, from the abuse of public funds to questions of impeachment,” Co said.

“In the long run, it is in the interest of the nation to empower the youth’s right to express, organize and assemble to ensure our democratic rights. And this should start in school,” she added. — Evelyn Macairan, Jose Rodel Clapano, Artemio Dumlao