Incumbent Benilde President Br. Edmundo “Dodo” Fernandez FSC revealed that Benilde is making plans to shift to face-to-face classes starting 3rd term, A.Y. 2020-2021, in the first “BroDCast Conversations” via Zoom last Dec. 2.

“We will wait for official government announcement and IATF guidelines because we are really governed by that. Having said all that, we are preparing—I don’t think it will come next term (2nd term, A.Y. 2020-2021). It may come in the third term and possibly first term of next school year. We are making preparations for that,” Br. Dodo stated.

However, the Brother President emphasized that in case the transition would take place, it would be both a gradual and a "slow transition" towards full face-to-face classes that is subject to change in accordance with the law.

“I don’t think it will be a full face-to-face (at first). When it begins it will be a slow transition, especially when the vaccine comes, ‘di naman lahat mabibigyan agad. So it's really going to be a slow phase-in of that modality,” he added.

Addressing the struggles of students in the online modality term

Consequently, amidst the College’s preparations for physical learning, concerns regarding how the College can support students with slow or weak internet connectivity were raised in the event. According to Center for Student Life Dean Ms. Norie Ador Dionisio, support like laptops or free data or wifi to help students who are having difficulties with internet connection are not yet present at the moment but they are making actions in helping the students.

“What we are trying to work out with is the project with CSG, ‘yung BOLAP (Benilde Online Learning Assistance Program). They’re doing a fundraising for it and soliciting gadgets to support online learning. [...] The other area that we are looking into to support students is that when there’s connectivity concerns, we link them directly with the different faculty and the program chair,” Ms. Ador Dionisio stated, citing their efforts in the last series of typhoons by using text blasts in connecting the students to the faculty. 

Moreover, according to Br. Dodo, the College considered opening up the campus for students and faculty who are having connectivity issues but this was not permitted, especially to students, due to the guidelines and regulations. Nonetheless, if it was allowed, some of the computer laboratories in the College can be opened for usage of students and faculties.

“We are committed to our scholars. This year, we did not reduce the scholarship. If we do, it would probably for frosh, if we ever do. But for those who currently have scholarships, we will try to the best of our ability to keep all of them—all our scholars [...] because I think that is an important part of the identity of Benilde,” Br. Dodo emphasized when asked about the future of scholars amid the global pandemic. 

On to the next educational level: Benilde SHS

Furthermore, Benilde also took its action in expanding its horizons in education by opening Senior High School (SHS), which is currently in final touches with DepEd. 

“We will be inspected by DepEd in the first week of December or [sooner] and they will give us whatever requirements that were missing [for completion]. After that, an approval will be coming and then we can market it,” Br. Dodo stated. 

Benilde SHS is projected to be offered by AY 2021-2022 and the strands that are planned to be offered includes: Arts and Design, TechVoc (Technical-Vocational Track) with specialty in culinary arts, ABM (Accounting and Business Management) for SMIT classes and HUMSS (Humanities and Social Sciences) in line with the courses offered under the College’s School of Diplomacy and Governance. They are hoping for as many enrollees as possible, however, they still have not decided yet about the number of students that they plan to accept.

The Brother President also added that they are opening Academic Building 4 as possible by this December or within the first half of 2021. 

“It will be used slowly. We did not finish the whole building [yet] but it is enough to be operational.” He also added that it was first meant to be for frosh students, however, they are ‘trying to see what is the best way to use it,’” provided that there might be classrooms for different year levels and the Deaf School will also be placed there.

Br. Dodo officially wrapped up the program through his closing remarks, expressing his gratitude and hoped that this type of conversation would be done more on a regular basis and face to face once the College goes back to its normal operations.

“You [students] are important to us. [...] You are an essential part of the Benildean community. You have a say, you have a voice. What you say is important to us,” Br. Dodo concluded. 

The event shifted from sharing the directions of the College and interacting with the Benildean Community to directly hearing out the student body and communicating with the Brother President.

“Extraordinary things start with conversations. This afternoon we will not hear the Br. President present anymore what his plans are or directions, but he wants to hear directly from you,” Special Assistant of Office of the President Mr. Michael "Butch" D. Tecson III said, encouraging students to make the most of the opportunity to ask questions and talk with the Brother President for it to be responded to and acknowledged upon.

“BroDCast Conversations” is the first digital platform organized by Benilde’s Office of the President to formally introduce Br. Fernandez FSC and interact virtually with the Benildean Community, especially the student body, since he stepped on as Benilde President.

In response to the pandemic, Benilde has been transitioning online for the past few terms through BOLT (Benilde Online Learning Term) last AY. 2019-2020 and ViBe (Virtual Benilde) for the first and upcoming second term of A.Y. 20-21.