No face-to-face classes in July – CHED

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) clarified on Wednesday that the guidelines it is currently drafting with health authorities are for possible limited face-to-face classes in low-risk areas only as part of the blended mode of learning under the “new normal.”

CHED Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III also refuted reports that the Commission will be “pilot testing” face-to-face classes starting next month amid the current health crisis in the country.

“This is not true and they may have misunderstood my television interview yesterday (Tuesday). The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) last May 13 has approved the opening of classes for higher education institutions (HEIs) that will use flexible learning in August.

So there will be no face-to-face classes in July,” De Vera pointed out.

According to De Vera, a new category called Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) was created in the last IATF meeting for low-risk areas or local governments without new cases in the last 28 days and where health facilities are able to handle COVID-19 cases.

During the meeting, the higher education chief said the IATF agreed to allow the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to have limited face-to-face Technical and Vocational Education and Training programs starting July.

“This is the reason why CHED, in consultation with the Department of Health (DOH), is now crafting guidelines for possible limited face-to-face classes in low-risk MGCQ areas as part of the flexible learning system,” he explained.

De Vera said the Commission plans to submit these guidelines, which include the suggested health measures inside schools and classrooms, for the consideration of the IATF in late June or early July.

“If approved, I will personally visit HEIs who will redesign their classrooms, libraries, auditoriums, cafeterias and other facilities based on health protocols and guidelines and see if limited face-to-face is possible in low-risk MGCQ areas,” De Vera said.

“I will do this in July and recommend to the IATF the applicable policies for the opening of classes in August,” he added.