Limited face-to-face (F-to-F) classes in all degree programs are now allowed in Metro Manila and other areas that are under Alert Level 2, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced on Friday.
CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III said that the move was previously discussed with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
“We will allow now limited face-to-face up to 50 percent in all degree programs in these areas,” de Vera said during a ceremonial Covid-19 vaccination in Palawan State University.
However, de Vera said that face-to-face will be allowed, “Provided, Number 1, students, faculty, and employees are vaccinated. Dapat mataas ang vaccination rate, bakunado dapat [The vaccination rate should be high, they need to be vaccinated]. Ikalawa, [secondly] the local government is okay with it. Number 3, the facilities must be retrofitted and inspected.”
In September, President Duterte has approved CHED’s request for the expansion of limited F-to-F classes to other degree programs that require hands-on experience in higher education institutions (HEIs) under modified general community quarantine.
The urgent need for hands-on experience and the safety of students taking up medicine and allied health courses, who were permitted by the national government to conduct limited face-to-face classes since January 2021, is the key for CHED to recommend on the expansion of the proposal.
CHED presented to IATF the evidence on the ground that would show that the mechanisms that have been put in place, retrofitting of facilities by HEIs, observance of health protocols, putting up of crisis management committees, coordination with local government units concerned, etc., were effective in ensuring the achievement of the competencies of students/graduates without compromising their safety.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on September 21, 2021, issued the authority for F-to-F activities in the following areas:
- Engineering and Technology programs
- Hospitality/Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Tourism/ Travel Management
- Marine Engineering
- Marine Transportation