ALTHOUGH colleges and universities have been allowed to resume physical classes at full capacity, school officials can limit the number of students if they deem it best for the welfare of students, the Commission on Higher Education said.

CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said that school officials can use their discretion to limit the volume of students who are attending face-to-face classes.

“Kahit na 100 percent ang allowed na capacity, kung sa palagay ng mga pamantasan ay mas maganda ‘yung sistema na mas kaunti ‘yung papapasukin at gagawing salit-salit ang klase, pinapaubaya natin ‘yan sa mga pamantasan na sila ang gagawa nito dahil sila ang nakakaalam sa kalagayan sa kanilang mga lugar,” he said.

De Vera  maintained that unvaccinated students will have to continue attending online classes.

He added that Higher Education Institutions no longer need to secure authorization from CHED to conduct face-to-face classes. All they have to do is take the self-assessment checklist to ensure their readiness.

“Tingnan ‘yung guidelines, ‘yung listahan at mag-comply doon at magkonsulta rin sa kanilang local government dahil hindi naman lahat ng lugar sa Pilipinas ay Alert Level 1,” De Vera said.

To date, 313 HEIs have resumed physical classes covering at least 1,000 degree programs.

The commission expressed optimism that more schools will hold in-person classes this year with the easing of pandemic restrictions.