Rappler Talk: On the academic strike and an unreliable gov’t

Students from Ateneo de Manila University on Monday, November 23, called for a nationwide academic strike and demanded accountability from the Duterte government for its “criminal negligence” regarding the recent typhoons and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As we fight for our right to an academic life, we invite all those who want to see it flourish again to join us. We invite our fellow youth nationwide. Together, in our collective action, we strike not just for our education, but a country we can be proud of,” read the manifesto signed by at least 500 Ateneans. (READ: Ateneo students call for nationwide academic strike vs Duterte gov’t)

Ateneans started their academic strike on November 18, calling out the government for neglecting Filipinos during the past 3 typhoons that hit the Philippines.

In their manifesto, Ateneans  laid out “minimum” demands for the education sector that must be fulfilled by the national government, as well as “maximum” demands in terms of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and also to typhoons. Check out the demands here.

On Tuesday, November 24, Rappler education reporter Bonz Magsambol talks to two of the authors of the manifesto about their call for a nationwide academic strike.

Watch the interview on Rappler. – Rappler.com