Posted on July 18, 2022

SKIA President’s Priorities – On Returning to In-Person Classes in 2022-2023 

Dear Kudratans and Readers,

I eagerly look forward to welcoming you back to face-to-face classrooms and campus operations on Monday, August 22. While the “back to school” season is at its momentum, our administrative leadership will continue to closely monitor pandemic alert measures and respond as needed.

As in previous events, there will be opportunity to review different scenarios once our students, faculty and staff return to Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat Islamic Academy (SKIA) and at SKIA College Co-location campuses for work or instruction.

Regardless of how teachers, parents and students view the opening of In-Person Class learning, we value your commitment to the health and wellness of our community. Aware of the disruptions caused by the crisis on students and their families, we want to move forward into our post-COVID future.

With careful planning and proper safety measures in place, we’re ready to implement the College’s new Academic Calendar, and in the same way resume the Schedule of School Activities for SY 2022-2023.

My preferential priority concerns are:

• Continuity in teaching students because it is the core of our vision-mission-goal to overcome barriers to learning.
• Support services system to transition least impact to learning continuum because it is what we are called to do.
• Mental health awareness because it is about what to expect from student life in time of transitions in the lifespan.
• Adherence to academic integrity because disciplinary forms of scholarship is anchored on honest work.

We’ve recognized that remote learning has not been mostly-optimal at suburban location sites, and yet our College’s goals in response to pandemic-lockdowns achieved that continuum in learning.

Through flexibility approach and pedagogy, hybrid learning served as enabler of Class 2022 to endure unprecedented odds and reach the finish line to the SKIA College’s first in-person graduation “hooding ceremonies” after three-year experience like no other.

Our campus community appreciates the decision of the Commission on Higher Education lifting restrictions to full classroom capacity for face-to-faces sessions. Of course, the incoming cohorts are expected to rise to the challenge of presently restored freshman to senior year academic semesters beginning 2022-2023.

You will find this SKIA Webpage a secure site and easy to navigate service portal for guide or source of information. Whether you are a student, faculty or staff, parent or visitor, I welcome you with hope that you will visit us.

Michael O. Mastura
President
Sultan Kudarat Islamic Academy Foundation College