AFTER allowing limited face-to-face classes in health-related degree programs, the Commission on Higher Education is studying the possibility of resuming physical classes for engineering, information technology, industrial technology and maritime students.

CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III said the commission will review the data and experiences of students who attended classroom classes.

He also said that he would seek the permission of President Rodrigo Duterte to allow another batch of students to have in-person classes.

“Kung makikita sa datos na talagang ligtas ang mga bata dahil sa compliance sa guidelines, ang aking gagawin ay pupunta ako kay President Duterte at hihingan ng approval na i-expand ito sa iba pang degree program na kailangan din ng face-to-face,” De Vera said.

He stressed that these programs require a lot of hands-on activities that could not be delivered in online classes.

The CHED chief added that most schools that have implemented in-person classes have recorded zero Covid19 cases.

“The CHED has so far received only one report of a Covid19 infection among those holding in-person classes, which happened in Eastern Visayas,” he said.

So far, at least 73 colleges and universities have been allowed to hold limited face-to-face classes for their medical and allied health programs.