UP to implement ‘no fail’ policy; semester continues

MANILA, Philippines — The University of the Philippines (UP) will proceed with the semester but will implement a “no fail policy,” according to the office of student regent Isaac Punzalan.

The UP Board of Regents – the highest decision-making body of the university – agreed to the policy during its meeting on Thursday, Punzalan’s office said in updates on social media accounts.

It said the office of the vice president for academic affairs will release guidelines regarding the decision, which was in response to calls by faculty and students to end the semester due to the pandemic and the recent typhoons.

“This is an initial victory for the UP student body as we continuously fight for the most inclusive and compassionate solutions for our education,” read the post.

In a separate update, the student regent said the board decided to go on with the semester as schedules and reject the call of faculty and students.

More than 15,000 individuals,  across UP system signed the petitions, including almost 300 faculty members.