Calls aired for class suspensions, election overtime pay, leaves

Students are urging the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to suspend classes from May 10 to 13 to help increase youth voter turnout on May 12, election day.

- — With Mayen Jaymalin

In a statement, the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) emphasized that many students are enrolled in schools far from their home provinces, and CHED should grant them ample time to travel home to vote without missing classes.

"To be able to ensure a high student voter turnout, we believe that the Commission on Higher Education must declare class suspensions on May 10 to 13. This way, students will have enough time to travel to their hometowns, vote and come back to where their schools are located," said NUSP national president Iya Trinidad.

NUSP pointed out that students, particularly those in college, make up a significant portion of the electorate.

"28.79 percent of the voting population are Gen Z, comprising 21.87 million voters, most of whom are college age. We need to guarantee that they will be able to exercise their right to vote on May 12, election day, including heeding the call for class suspension. The youth must not be robbed of an opportunity to win the future we deserve," the group said.

While NUSP welcomed Malacañang's move to declare May 12 a holiday, the group maintained that CHED must go further to support student voters.