Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Popoy De Vera on Monday, May 24, clapped back at the government’s critics saying their criticisms are not helping anyone - especially students who are already struggling this school year.
De Vera said this during an online press conference after the policy of CHED to implement flexible learning even post-COVID drew backlash from stakeholders.
“I ask those who are spreading fake news and wrong information and agitating the students to lose faith or to lose their belief in flexible learning, please stop,” De Vera said. “You are not doing anyone a favor,” he added.
De Vera alleged that there are some “people who want to become famous” by accusing him of negligence. “Our students are suffering enough from a lot of things that are beyond their control,” he said.
“Please do not let them suffer by spreading wrong information and agitating them. That is my only request,” he added.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/24/calls-for-ligtasnabalikeskwela-renewed-amid-cheds-new-policy/
De Vera and CHED were under fire for its flexible learning policy. However, he found this opposition coming from stakeholders “alarming.”
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De Vera noted that giving criticisms is easy but there are no alternative options being offered.
“It’s very easy to criticize, I, myself can criticize the critics of the government if I want to. I can call them irresponsible, but what is the option?” he said.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/23/groups-slam-cheds-bid-for-flexible-learning-as-new-norm/
Instead of criticizing, he noted that studying the options that are available might help students cope with challenges under the alternative delivery systems. “Remember, you cannot conclude for all higher education institutions,” he added.
Nationwide, De Vera said that there are close to 2,000 public and private universities doing their own flexible learning.
“Some are doing it brilliantly, some are struggling, we agree with that but you cannot conclude for the whole country,” he ended.