As it prepares for the gradual resumption of face-to-face classes in other degree programs, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) expressed hope that the guidelines being crafted with the help of experts will be completed before this year ends.
“Pinag-aaralan pa natin iyan, nagsisimula na tayo gumawa ang guidelines (We’re studying this now, we have started crafting the guidelines),” said CHED Chairman Popoy De Vera in a Laging Handa public briefing on Friday, Oct. 22.
De Vera said that after this recent batch, CHED is also eyeing the resumption of limited face-to-face classes in all degree programs depending on certain factors.
“Hindi naman natin pwede gawin yan ngayon kasi mababa pa ang vaccination rate ng students (We cannot do this now because the vaccination rate of students remains low),” De Vera said.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/13/ched-eyes-vaccination-of-all-tertiary-students-vs-covid-19/
For limited face-to-face classes to be allowed for all degree programs, the vaccination rate of students, faculty and employees of HEIs should be high. “Kailangan mataas din ang vaccination rate doon sa lugar, kasi hindi lang vaccination level lang ng school ang pinag-uusapan (The vaccination rate in the community should also be high, we’re not just talking about the vaccination level of schools here),” he explained.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/11/ched-eyes-limited-in-person-classes-in-areas-with-low-covid-19-cases-high-vaccination-rates/
Currently, De Vera said that experts in various degree programs are crafting the guidelines for the limited face-to-face classes once allowed.
“Ang tina-target natin diyan ay matapos sana ang guidelines maybe November or December at titingnan natin kung anong kalagayan on the ground by January kung puwede na ito (We’re targeting to finish the guidelines maybe by November or December and we will see what is the situation on the ground by January if we can do this already),” he added.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/13/limited-face-to-face-classes-in-all-degree-programs-possible-by-early-next-year-ched/
Upon the approval of President Duterte and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), CHED has allowed limited face-to-face classes in higher education institutions (HEIs) that offer Medicine and Allied Health Sciences since January this year.
De Vera said that over 180 universities and colleges nationwide have been allowed to hold limited face-to-face classes, covering more than 300 degree programs.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/11/21000-students-in-181-universities-colleges-attend-limited-face-to-face-classes-ched/
Last month, CHED also announced the expansion of limited in-person activities in engineering and technology programs, hospitality/hotel and restaurant management, tourism/ travel management, marine engineering, and marine transportation.
CHED, De Vera said, has also been lining up the next group of potential degree programs that will be allowed to reopen in the subsequent months depending on the approval of the second batch.
De Vera said that the HEIs that were allowed to hold limited face-to-face activities were thoroughly assessed and inspected by CHED, the concerned local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Health (DOH).
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/13/vaccination-gives-addl-level-of-safety-for-safe-reopening-of-schools-ched-says/