In-person classes OK’d for 5 more college courses

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has approved the resumption of limited face-to-face (F2F) classes for five programs that require hands-on experience in higher education institutions.

These courses are in engineering and technology, hospitality or hotel and restaurant management, tourism and travel management, marine engineering and marine transportation.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said schools may now apply to be inspected and authorized to conduct F2F classes following the approval of the President to expand the policy to other degree programs.

There are currently 181 higher education institutions (HEIs) authorized to resume F2F classes for medicine and allied health sciences, and more schools are expected to be approved soon following Duterte’s green light.

“They can start as soon as they apply, are inspected and authorized by CHED,” CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera said in a message.

CHED gave assurance that mechanisms have been put in place to ensure the safety of both students and teachers under the limited F2F classes, as shown by the experience in the medicine and allied health courses that started earlier this year.

“The Commission thanks President Duterte for the approval of limited face-to-face classes for the said programs in order to contribute to the efforts to boost the economic recovery of the country, as this will directly affect human resource development,” De Vera said in a statement.

He noted that while there was a small percentage of students and faculty members who were affected by COVID-19, it is still safe to hold F2F classes and expand this to other degree programs.

De Vera said that CHED and the National Task Force against COVID-19 are pushing for the vaccination of all faculty, staff and students in higher education institutions (HEIs).

Guidelines for HEIs to resume F2F classes include the retrofitting of facilities, strict implementation of health protocols, putting up of crisis management committees and coordination with LGUs.

“We assure our students, parents and faculty that holding in-person classes is safe. Our guidelines are strict,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sen. Bong Go reminded authorities to protect the health and well-being of students, educators and staff while pursuing the need to continue educational activities amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Go has welcomed President Duterte’s decision to allow limited face-to-face classes for five more degree programs that require practical experience.

“We are slowly getting our lives back to normal. But we are doing it in a safe way as we continue to vaccinate and implement policies to prevent further spread of the disease,” he said in Filipino.

“These sectors are also very important to our economy so we should just help them continue their education and not compromise the quality of these courses,” Go emphasized.

He reminded concerned authorities to ensure that necessary health measures are in place to protect students’ lives.

While he recognizes the importance of education, he believes that the country’s primary focus at this time should be the protection of life.

“Education is important because it is our only investment in this world. So I encourage students to continue to study even if we have a future crisis, in a way that is safe and does not endanger their lives and those of their families,” he said. “Education is important but the lives of Filipinos are more important.

We continue to balance everything to lift our countrymen out of the hardships caused by the pandemic.” – Cecille Suerte Felipe