THE COMMISSION on Higher Education on Saturday expressed optimism more schools will resume face-to-face classes in Academic Year 2022-2023.

CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said over 300 higher education institutions are currently holding physical

classes with more than 1,000 degree programs.

However, De Vera said his office is expecting more students will attend on-site sessions after the Inter-Agency Task Force Against Covid19 allowed full classroom capacity.

“Tataas ang maximum capacity ng facilities mula 70 to 100 percent capacity ng facilities. Mawawala na ‘yung distancing ng mga upuan sa loob ng classroom, sa gymnasium, halimbawa, sa

laboratories,” De Vera said during the Laging Handa news briefing.

“Hindi mo na masyadong pino-problema kung ilan ang iyong pababalikin na

puwedeng mag-face-to-face classes,” he added.

While in-person classes are now permitted in higher education institutions, De Vera reiterated flexible learning is still in place.

“Ang policy ng CHED sa lahat ng HEIs ay flexible learning policy pa rin. Ibig sabihin ‘yung pamantasan ang magde-decide kung ano ang tamang mix ng face-to-face, online at offline,” the CHED chief clarified.

“Puwede silang mag-full face-to-face, puwedeng mag-full online, puwede rin maging online plus face-to-face, at offline plus face-to-face depende sa kakayanan ng mga pamantasan at siyempre ng mga estudyante at faculty,” he said.

Under IATF Resolution No. 164, HEIs can conduct physical classes at 100 percent capacity in areas under Alert Level 1.

Only fully vaccinated students and teaching and non-teaching personnel are allowed to participate in physical classes.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated learners, on the other hand, will continue under the flexible learning modalities.

Before an HEI can resume F2F classes, it is required to take the self-assessment checklist as provided by a joint circular issued by CHED and the Department of Health.