Schools suspend classes for EDSA Revolution anniversary despite Marcos' proclamation

A consortium of Catholic and other educational institutions, including De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, UP Cebu, General de Jesus College, Holy Child Catholic School Inc., Imus Institute Inc., EDSOR schools like Xavier School, Saint Pedro Poveda College, and the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae-Philippines Schools Network (CICM-PSN) with Saint Louis University in Baguio City among others, have suspended classes on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution.

UP Los Baños declared it would shift classes to online asynchronous mode, while other schools like Assumption College San Lorenzo and Ateneo de Manila have also implemented alternative learning methods in defiance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s declaration that the EDSA revolution anniversary would be a special working day through Presidential Proclamation 727.

The Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) urged other schools to suspend classes on February 25 to take part in the commemoration, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles and reaffirming their commitment to democracy, freedom, and justice.

Some educational institutions have criticized Marcos' move as a way to 'downplay' the significance of the bloodless revolution that toppled his father's regime in 1986.