DISCLAIMER: This petition is not affiliated to any organizations. This is made for students, by students.

In the recent SPTA Meeting, one of the agendas is to address the shortage on classroom due to the rebuilding of the JHS Building and HUMSS Building which developed cracks after the December 2023 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake, which made the said buildings unsafe for SCI-BLAZERS.

The agreed solution was to implement shifting of class schedules. The tentative schedules starts @ 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., while the afternoon schedule starts @ 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

Here are mainly the concerns that we want to raise (concerns that were not raised during the meeting). These concerns are mostly from the afternoon schedule.

• There are students who live far from the school (Cortes, Matho, Burgos, Tago, Bayabas, Maticdum, Panubigan, Mahayag, etc.) and their readily accessible transportation is the jeepneys. However, jeepneys are not available past 6:30 p.m.
• The road going to the school does not have adequate street lights, which can cause road incidents, namely students that have personal transportation.
• Shifting classes means that the minutes of each class will be shortened which leads to fast-pacing classes and activities not executed properly, which in return affects the academic performance of the students.

In contrast, alternating class schedules allows for a portion of the student body to attend in-person on certain days, while others attend remotely or participate in blended learning.

This minimizes disruption to the overall school routine, allowing for a more seamless transition for both students and staff. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for students facing long commutes, allowing them to manage their time and commitments more effectively.

It also reduces the burden of daily commutes, minimizing fatigue and stress, which can lead to improved focus and engagement in class.

Shifting class schedules might seem like an easy fix, but it's a band-aid solution that ignores the real problem: accessibility. It disrupts routines, impacts learning, and doesn't address the underlying transportation challenges. We need to focus on sustainable solutions that make getting to school safe, affordable, and efficient for everyone, not just rearrange the clock.