After meeting all the requirements set by the concerned agencies, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has allowed a total of six Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to hold limited face-to-face classes amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country.
CHED Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III confirmed to the Manila Bulletin on Saturday, March 6, that so far, there are six HEIs that received the approval of the agency to conduct limited in-person classes.
The HEIs offering medical programs that have been allowed to hold limited face-to-face classes include the University of the Philippines-Manila (UP) and University of Santo Tomas (UST) both located in Manila; the Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) in Valenzuela; the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERM) in Quezon City; the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health in Pasig; and the St. Louis University in Baguio.
Meanwhile, De Vera said that he will be giving additional updates related to this. “I will issue status report next week on intent, applications, etc.,” he explained.
The HEIs that offer medical programs and are interested to conduct limited face-to-face classes are allowed to send in their letters of intent and applications to CHED. De Vera said that there is “no deadline” set by CHED for the application process.
In February, CHED and the Department of Health (DOH) issued Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2021-001 or the guidelines for the gradual resumption of limited face-to-face classes at the tertiary level. The joint memorandum circular outlined the process for HEIs that intend to hold limited face-to-face classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
CHED and DOH noted that the priority for the gradual reopening of campuses for limited face-to-face classes will be be given to “selected health-related degree programs regarded as vital in providing additional manpower support in the health system” which include Medicine, Nursing, Medical Technology or Medical Laboratory Science, Physical Therapy, Midwifery and Public Health.
CHED and DOH also noted the students who will be allowed to attend limited face-to-face classes are only those enrolled in degree programs and courses stated and those “aged 20 years old and above.” As stated in the guidelines, CHED and DOH stressed that limited face-to-face classes are not “mandatory.”
While it is within the discretion of HEIs to decide when they intend to conduct limited face-to-face classes, CHED and DOH said that the HEIs may also “opt not to conduct” limited in-person classes and may continue to implement flexible learning.