THE COMMISSION on Higher Education on Wednesday said it prioritized the conduct of limited face-to-face classes for degree programs where hands-on learning is “non-negotiable.”

Limited physical classes are allowed in select courses including health and science, engineering and technology, hospitality/hotel and restaurant management, tourism/travel management, and marine engineering and marine transportation.

CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said students taking these programs need hands-on training to become good professionals.

“Kaya nauna ‘yung medicine and allied health sciences. Because you cannot imagine a student finishing a medical degree without doing clinical internship,” he explained in a news briefing in Mabalacat City College.

“‘Yung mga degree programs where you can still deliver it online medyo lower priority,” he added.

“May nakapila pang mga susunod, inaaprubahan isa-isa ang mga programs. Kung masipag ang mga deans ng mga schools on the degree program at pagtulung-tulungan nila ang curriculum mas mauuna sila sa pila,” De Vera said.

On Monday, the CHED chief said the agency is studying the possibility of allowing limited face-to-face classes in areas with low Covid19 risk and high vaccination rate.

If this pushes through, there will be two kinds of limited in-person classes – by degree program and by geographic area.