CHEd to assist schools closed by lockdown

They will no longer go through a long process of evaluation. We will allow them to reopen already, because these schools are so unfortunate if we still subject every degree program to evaluation

The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) said it will no longer evaluate the degree programs of private colleges and universities that temporarily closed operations this academic year due to low enrollment once they resume operations in the next school year.

“What we did to help them, number one, when and if they reopen their degree programs, we will not subject them to mandatory evaluation. Unlike before that if you open a degree program, we look at the faculty profile, facilities, etc.,” CHEd chairperson Prospero de Vera III told Daily Tribune.

“So, it’s a long process. And when they close, they will lay off their teachers. The problem is when they reopen, they need to evaluate if the teachers who will teach have the necessary credentials,” the CHEd chief added.

De Vera noted the CHEd has decided to be more flexible with this requirement, that if or when these universities reopen, the commission will look and see if they are, for example, rehiring majority of their teachers.

“They will no longer go through a long process of evaluation. We will allow them to reopen already, because these schools are so unfortunate if we still subject every degree program to evaluation. That means they cannot immediately open because they have been closed for several months. They will really lose,” he said.

The official added his agency has agreed to work with these universities even if while they are not operational.

“This means we will continue talking to them to anticipate when they will reopen and see how the commission can assess them,” De Vera said.

The CHEd will also give grants to private schools for Internet connectivity.