Cebu Universities Maintain Online Classes During Typhoon Basyang Despite Connectivity Challenges
Despite official class suspension announcements across multiple regions in Central Visayas, several universities in Cebu opted to continue with online and hybrid classes during Typhoon Basyang. This decision has sparked significant concerns regarding students' limited access to stable internet connections during severe weather events, raising questions about the balance between academic continuity and student welfare.
Academic Continuity Measures Amidst Weather Disruptions
To maintain academic schedules, universities implemented various digital solutions including online learning platforms and digital submission systems. Faculty members adjusted schedules and deadlines where feasible, with some offering recorded lectures or alternative discussion times to accommodate students experiencing connectivity problems. These measures were designed to prevent academic disruption, but they highlighted underlying infrastructure vulnerabilities.
While the Department of Education ordered class suspensions for safety reasons in affected regions, higher education institutions exercised their autonomy to proceed with virtual instruction. This created a disparity between basic education protocols and university-level decisions during the typhoon.
Student Experiences and Connectivity Struggles
Students across typhoon-affected areas reported substantial difficulties attending online classes and submitting academic requirements on time. Heavy rains and powerful storms caused frequent disruptions to both internet and electricity services, creating barriers to effective participation in virtual learning environments.
"I wasn't fully paying attention in our online class because my internet was not stable, and I experienced delayed audio during the discussion," explained Rosebelle Sullivan, a student from the University of San Carlos. Her experience reflects a common challenge faced by many students during extreme weather conditions when digital infrastructure becomes unreliable.
Calls for Flexible Disaster Response in Education
Parents and students are now urging universities to adopt more flexible disaster-response measures that prioritize safety alongside academic goals. Their recommendations include:
- Implementing full class suspensions during severe weather events
- Providing extended deadlines for assignments and projects
- Developing alternative learning arrangements that don't require stable internet
- Creating contingency plans that account for varying student circumstances
The goal is to ensure academic continuity does not compromise student safety and accessibility, particularly during emergencies when basic services may be disrupted.
Infrastructure Gaps and Educational Inequality
Education experts note that extreme weather events frequently expose significant gaps in digital infrastructure, especially in regions where internet connectivity is already inconsistent. According to the Department of Information and Communications Technology, multiple factors contribute to internet instability during typhoons:
- Power interruptions affecting network equipment
- Damaged telecommunications lines from strong winds
- Signal interference caused by heavy rainfall
- Overloaded networks due to increased home usage
These conditions make it particularly challenging for students to participate in real-time virtual discussions or upload academic requirements. While online learning offers valuable flexibility, it can inadvertently widen educational inequality when students lack reliable devices, consistent electricity, or affordable data access during disasters.
Developing Comprehensive Contingency Plans
In response to these recurring disruptions, the Commission on Higher Education is encouraging colleges and universities to develop flexible learning contingency plans that prioritize student welfare. Education advocates stress that balancing academic continuity with safety is essential, especially in disaster-prone areas where students may face evacuation orders, prolonged power outages, or unsafe conditions while attempting to meet academic demands.
The need for institutional preparedness has never been more apparent as climate patterns increase the frequency and intensity of weather events affecting educational institutions. Universities must consider not only technological solutions but also policy frameworks that protect vulnerable students during emergencies.
As educational institutions continue to navigate the challenges of digital learning during natural disasters, the experiences during Typhoon Basyang serve as a critical case study for improving disaster response protocols in higher education settings.
