Even if the resumption of limited face-to-face classes for medical and allied courses has been allowed by President Duterte, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Monday assured that this will remain voluntary for the students.

During the Laging Handa Public Briefing, CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III explained that resumption of limited in-person classes for medical and other allied courses has been allowed but will only be on a voluntary basis.

“Hindi ito sapilitan, yung mga estudyante na ayaw mag-face-to-face kailangan bigyan ng alternatibo ng mga pamantasan kaya dapat sila at mag-konsultasyon sa kanilang mga estudyante at mga magulang (This will not be mandatory, the students who do not want to have face-to-face should be given an alternative by the universities -  that is why there should be consultation with the students and the parents),” de Vera explained.

De Vera said that the President allowed limited face-to-face classes in medical and allied health sciences which include medicine, nursing, physical therapy, midwifery, med-tech and public health, among others. However, this is “only for those subjects that cannot be delivered virtually.”

“May mga subjects na kailangan talaga ang mga estudyante ay maka-interact, halimbawa sa pasyente (There are subjects wherein the students really need to interact, for instance, with the patients),” de Vera said.

De Vera also clarified that this will only be limited to Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) areas and in schools under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) whose students are undergoing training in COVID-19 hospitals. This, he added, is also limited to “students 20 years old and above” or the third and fourth year students.