FACULTY members from small colleges and universities, especially those in the far-flung areas, will undergo training on flexible learning to make them well-prepared for the opening of classes in August, the Commission on Higher Education said.

CHED chairperson Prospero De Vera III said the initiative is being implemented through CHED HiEd Bayanihan – a virtual and free cooperative learning environment for educational fora, training, capacity building, and resource sharing among Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs). It is reportedly a digital community of educators, learners and content makers which explore innovative responses in the context of the country’s HEIs.

“Last June 23, CHED launched the PHL CHED CONNECT to provide online resources for the faculty and students of Philippine HEIs as they prepare for flexible learning,” De Vera said.

“Today, we complement the PHL CHED CONNECT with CHED HiEd Bayanihan initiative that fulfills the equally important need to train our faculty members,” he added.

De Vera said “this is a testament to Philippine higher education’s strength in unity. It represents the generosity of spirit and sense of community among CHED, HEIs, industry partners, experts and organizations to contribute to the retooling of faculty in view of the shift to flexible learning and teaching modalities.”

According to Vice Chancellor for Academics Geronio Ulayao of De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, CSB will offer a free training on the conduct of online classes on August 3-7 via Zoom platform. The training will be workshop type and will be conducted on synchronous mode.

“This is Benilde’s commitment to support CHED in the transition of Philippine education to online modality as necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program aims to equip the schools with basic know-how to jumpstart their transition to online delivery,” Ulayao said.

The Philippine Normal University, on the other hand, has also expressed support for CHED’s HiEd Ba-yanihan. “This is a laudable initiative of the Commission to assist faculty members of SUCs/HEIs in their efforts to transition/prepare for flexible learning this coming academic year,” said PNU President Bert Tuga.

“We will triumph over this pandemic even as we set aside narrow-minded competition and think of our country and our people first ahead of all other considerations. Under the mantle of the CHED HiEd Bayanihan, we at Enverga University, will be part of the partnerships created to assist smaller institutions cope with the challenges of this educational disruption,” said Manuel Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF) President Naila Leveriza.

Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) is also part of the initiative. “In the spirit of HiEd Bayanihan, TAU will offer its share to create meaningful and functional partnerships with HEIs needing assistance, as we consider collaboration as one strong resolve to develop institutional scaffolding and mutual cooperation for flexible learning,” said TAU President Max Guillermo.

The CHED Regional Offices will be the ones responsible in determining the list of HEIs which will benefit the most, especially those in far flung areas.

CHED Hi-Ed Bayanihan is in partnership with Far Eastern University (FEU), De La Salle- College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB), Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF), Philippine Normal University (PNU), Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), British Council of the Philippines, and the Philippine Society of NSTP Educators and Implementers, Inc. (PSNEI).

“Universities are rising up to the challenge. Naipapakita na kayang-kaya magawa ng universities through Bayanihan and this is the first time to happen in CHED’s history,” De Vera said.

“Walang katapusan itong capacity building. We will only be able to address Covid19 only if we altogether educate and learn as one. I call on the other leading HEIs with expertise in flexible learning to join us in this Bayanihan initiative to help other HEIs” the CHED chief added.