The opening of limited face-to-face classes would depend on the individual decisions of higher education institutions (HEIs), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said.

In a Teleradyo interview on Wednesday, Jan. 12, CHED Chairman Popoy De Vera issued clarifications on the opening of limited face-to-face classes for all degree programs in HEIs nationwide.

De Vera explained that limited face-to-face classes at the tertiary level started last year.

In January 2021, CHED allowed select HEIs offering Medicine and Allied Health Sciences to hold limited face-to-face classes. In September, CHED expanded face-to-face activities for Engineering and Technology programs, Hospitality/ Hotel and Restaurant Management, Tourism/ Travel Management, Marine Engineering, and Marine Transportation.

“In November, we issued advisory that in areas under Alert Level 2, they can start by December and in Alert Level 3 areas, by January,” De Vera said in a mix of English and Filipino.

While the HEIs were ready to open limited face-to-face classes for all degree programs this month, De Vera said there were adjustments when Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) placed the National Capital Region (NCR) under Alert Level 3.

To guide the HEIs, CHED Issued an advisory on Jan. 10 upon consultation with the Department of Health (DOH) informing the date of Phase 2 of the implementation of limited face-to-face classes for all programs of HEIs in areas under Alert Level 3 to begin on Jan. 31, 2022.

“Ang pinakamaaga would be Jan. 31 para matingnan pa natin at ma-monitor ang pagtaas ng mga kaso (The earliest should be Jan. 31 so we can see and monitor the increase in cases),” De Vera said.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2022/01/11/ched-limited-face-to-face-classes-for-all-programs-alert-level-3-areas-to-begin-on-jan-31/

However, De Vera noted that the public universities in NCR decided to start opening limited face-to-face classes in February. “Ini-move nila para panigurado (They moved it just to be safe),” he said.

In areas affected by typhoon Odette, De Vera said that HEIs decided to postpone their plans to open limited face-to-face classes since they are still repairing their facilities. There were also areas without electricity and internet.

Given this, De Vera said that HEIs were given discretion on the opening of limited face-to-face classes depending on their readiness.

“All of these are decisions of individual universities," De Vera said.

"This depends, also, on the condition of their health situation, consultation with LGUs , academic calendar and learning continuity plan, and the status of their faculty and students,” De Vera added.

HEIs all over the country, De Vera said, would have to make the necessary adjustments depending on their overall situation. “We’re asking them to consult with our regional offices so we will know the overall condition nationwide,” he added.