PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved the request of the Commission on Higher Education to expand the implementation of limited face-to-face classes to include other degree programs that require hands-on experience.

CHED made the recommendation saying that there are lessons that cannot be taught online.

The commission assured the Inter-Agency Task Force that mechanisms have been put in place, and that schools retrofitted their facilities, set up Crisis Management Committees, and coordinated with local government units to ensure students’ safety.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on September 21, 2021 issued the authority for face-to-face classes for Engineering and Technology programs, Hospitality/ Hotel and Restaurant Management, Tourism/, Travel Management, Marine Engineering and Marine Transportation.

“The Commission thanks President Rodrigo Duterte for the approval of limited face-to-face classes for the said programs in order to contribute to the efforts to boost the economic recovery of the country, as this will directly affect human resource development,” CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said.

“Based on the data we gathered on the ground, there is a small percentage of students and faculty members who were affected by Covid19. I’m convinced that it is safe to hold face-to-face classes and it can be expanded to cover other degree programs,” De Vera added.

Of the close to 2,000 universities and colleges, almost half had started their classes. Others are planning to start classes in October or November.

“I have been in constant discussion with NTF Chief Implementor Carlito G. Galvez and we are now aggressively pushing for the vaccination of all faculty, staff and students in HEIs to add another layer of protection to our face-to-face classes. Some of our HEIs have completed the vaccination of their employees and students. We aim to do it for other HEIs as more vaccines arrive,” De Vera said.

“We assure our students, parents and faculty that holding in-person classes is safe. Our guidelines are strict,” he added.

HEIs intending to have limited face-to-face classes may now apply for authority with CHED.