CEBU CITY -- Officials of private colleges and universities here appealed to Mayor Michael Rama to allow them to hold full in-person classes, lamenting that limited learning capacity is no longer viable.
School and university officials sat down with Rama on Monday where they pushed for the return of full face-to-face classes when the next school year opens in August.
Lawyer Joan Largo, assistant vice president for academic affairs of University of San Carlos (USC), told Rama that a 50-50 learning capacity is giving the students a hard time keeping up with their shifting schedules.
“We noticed that it is very difficult to implement shifting schedules. That is why we are here to meet with you to discuss this matter,” Largo told Rama during the meeting.
With Largo during the meeting were Paul Yabao, president of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Fr. Randy Figuracion, SDB, rector and president of Don Bosco Technical College–Cebu and other officials of the University of San Jose-Recoletos, Cebu Institute of Technology-University, University of Cebu, Southwestern University, University of the Visayas, Cebu Institute of Medicine and Velez College.
The school executives assured that they will follow the Inter-Agency Task Force guidelines which require institutions to ensure that their facilities meet health and safety protocols, like social distancing and face barriers.
Largo said they have agreed to require students, teachers and school staff to have themselves fully vaccinated before they can enroll or work.
Rama for his part said he understood the sentiment of the school and universities.
In preparation for the return of full face-to-face classes, the mayor said the city will conduct special vaccination days for schools and universities.
Rama asked the school executives to provide venues for the vaccination days and help ensure the success of the campaign.
“All I want is for us to help each other in the vaccination program because that’s the only solution,” Rama said.