The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) instructed all public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) to observe the existing guidelines on the suspension of classes on their respective campuses.
CHED Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III, in a statement issued Sept. 27, said “there appears to be a confusion raised” by the Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 037, s. of 2022.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/25/deped-new-guidelines-on-suspension-of-classes-work-in-schools-now-effective/
In the said DepEd Order, it was stated that private schools, as well as state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs), have the “option to abide by the provisions of the order as to cancellation or suspension of classes and work in schools in the event of natural disasters, power outages/power interruption, and other calamities.”
De Vera said that HEIs have “long been guided” by Executive Order No. 66 series of 2012 on the suspension of classes, due to typhoons, flooding, and other weather disturbances and calamities.
Likewise, De Vera explained that CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 15 series of 2012 also outlined the guidelines on class suspension at the tertiary level.
In said CMO, classes at the collegiate level, including graduate school, in the affected area, are “automatically cancelled or suspended” when Signal No. 3 is raised by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and announced through various media outlets.
Meanwhile, CHED noted that classes at the collegiate level --- including graduate school --- may be “cancelled or suspended at the discretion” of the local chief executives of Local Government Units and/or heads of HEIs if special circumstances in their area such as flooding, road damage, etc. warrant it.
HEIs, CHED said, are also advised to monitor National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) announcements where disasters and calamities are present.
“However, in case the local chief executives of LGU cancelled or suspended classes pursuant to this Section, HEIs within the area should observe the same,” De Vera said.
De Vera also stressed that until the amendment or revocation of the said Executive Order and CMO No. 15 series of 2012, “CHED instructs all HEIs to observe these guidelines in their respective campuses.”