Guidelines for limited face-to-face classes in college OK’d

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Health (DOH) have approved the guidelines for the gradual reopening of colleges and universities for limited face-to-face classes.

CHED chairman J. Prospero de Vera III and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III approved the joint memorandum circular outlining the process for higher education institutions (HEIs) intending to hold limited face-to-face classes during the pandemic.

“Although flexible learning is deemed the most appropriate and safest pedagogical approach during the pandemic, there might be some instances that face-to-face delivery of certain courses is necessary,” read the circular dated Feb. 10.

For the gradual reopening of campuses, priority shall be given to selected health-related degree programs regarded as vital in providing additional manpower support in the health system during the pandemic.

These include medicine, nursing, medical technology or medical laboratory science, physical therapy, midwifery and public health.

“The subjects or courses under these priority programs shall be allowed for face-to-face delivering are delimited to specialized laboratory courses or hospital-based clinical clerkship/internship/practicum, including clinical rotations for post-graduate medical interns,” it added.

Based on the guidelines, only students aged 20 years old and above who are enrolled in the priority degree programs and courses may be allowed to take limited face-to-face classes.

Students that will take part in face-to-face classes or activities shall also be registered by their HEIs or health facilities with PhilHealth or equivalent medical insurance that cover medical expenses related to the coronavirus disease 2019.

For HEIs in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), CHED may issue an authorization to conduct limited face-to-face classes upon compliance to the identified requirements and the submission of the application to concerned regional offices.

Meanwhile, those in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) may only receive such authorization if they have base hospitals catering to COVID-19 patients.

No intern shall be allowed to rotate in the emergency room, outpatient department and COVID wards, it added.

The CHED and DOH maintained that the conduct of limited face-to-face classes is not mandatory.

All degree programs and courses not identified as priority shall continue to be delivered through flexible distance learning modalities. These include lectures, field work, military drills and physical education subjects.

“These programs, courses or subjects may be offered through face-to-face classes only when permitted by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) and supplemental guidelines have been issued by CHED,” it added.

Public health standards

HEIs intending to hold limited face-to-face classes shall be required to develop and institute policies and actions conforming to the minimum health standards prescribed by the DOH.

Those that receive authorization, which shall be valid for two semesters, must strictly implement minimum physical distance of 1.5 meters among students, faculty and staff at all times.

They must also implement other health and safety measures, including requiring personal hygiene kits and screening at point of entry.

Specific protocols must also be established in classrooms, laboratories, libraries and other school facilities, as well as during breaktime period.

“HEIs shall re-engineer or re-design the layouts of their classrooms, laboratories and communal areas (cafeteria, library, study halls/centers, etc.) to ensure physical distancing of at least 1.5 meters is strictly observed,” added the guidelines.

The maximum number of students allowed in the campuses shall be determined in coordination with the local government units (LGUs) where they are located.

The conduct of any face-to-face extracurricular activities is not allowed, while schools separately allowed to have collegiate athlete’s training bubble are reminded to ensure that it would remain intact and that there will be no interaction among students.

Schools shall also establish a crisis management committee to assess the readiness to reopen for limited face-to-face classes, take charge in the application process and oversee the implementation of health and safety protocols.

It shall also monitor and evaluate the compliance of the HEI with the circular and take appropriate measures when risks and impacts of COVID-19 may exist in the campus or surrounding communities.

HEIs must also have a contingency plan ready to be implemented in case a student, faculty or staff tests positive for the viral illness.

Early applicants

Several HEIs have already expressed their intention to conduct limited face-to-face classes for their medicine and allied health programs.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno approved the proposal of the University of Santo Tomas College of Medicine and the Centro Escolar University School of Dentistry to resume limited face-to-face classes.

The University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial (UERM) Medical Center in Quezon City also met with Mayor Joy Belmonte to present their policies and procedures for the conduct of limited face-to-face classes in its medical programs. – Eva Visperas, Pia Lee-Brago