On May 16, a student from Capiz died after looking for signal to submit her report online. She was Kristelyn Villance, a sophomore criminology student from Capiz State University – Dumarao Campus.

The criminology student went home with her father who was riding a motorcycle. According to the official police report from the National Union of Students of the Philippines, the accident was caused by her father losing control of the handlebar.

Villance was rushed to Dao District Hospital in Capiz. According to NUSP, she lost her life while being transferred to a nearby hospital in Iloilo. Her father was only left with scratches from the accident. Kristelyn was only 20 years old.

This death was not taken lightly by activist groups Gabriela Youth and NUSP. “Though no one willed this accident to happen, this unfortunate happening underscores the need for an educational system that is compassionate and sensitive to the plight of students and families amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” writes NUSP in their official statement.

Gabriela Youth reminds everyone that educational institutions are still imposing online requirements for students nationwide. As for the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines, they still haven’t made a decision to end the current academic semester for most schools.

“This is an inequitable response especially for students who belong to families with little to no income due to the ECQ measures, have limited access to gadgets and to stable internet connection, or are in any other circumstances beyond their control,” writes Gabriela Youth in their statement. “This also puts added pressure on students and their families who are already under immense stress due to the pandemic.”

Art by Rogin Losa