CHED cannot move opening of classes for colleges and universities

Following the Department of Education (DepEd) moving of classes announcement, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) trended online due to calls for it to move the opening of classes as well. However, the agency said it cannot do so.

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CHED said colleges and universities are not covered by RA 11480, the law that moved the school opening for basic education students from August 24 to October 5.

Republic Act 11480 is a new law that allows the President to adjust the school calendar in times of national emergency upon recommendation of the Department of Education.

As for CHED, the operative law that covers the opening of classes in higher education is the RA 7722 (CHED law). RA 7722 issues guidelines for universities in deciding on their academic calendar.

Universities open their school year as approved by their board depending on the way they structure their semesters,  

De Vera told reporters.

School year structure is determined by individual universities in the exercise of academic freedom which is a constitutional guarantee for higher education,

De Vera added.

This is the reason why the government coronavirus task force approved a rolling opening of classes depending on the delivery mode of teaching.

Some universities choose to open as late as October, while others have begun as early as June. Universities opening of classes depends on their needs and conditions.

Universities and colleges is using flexible learning which involves a combination of digital and non-digital technology, which CHED says doesn't necessarily require connectivity to the internet.

Universities and colleges have the freedom to choose what mode would be effective for them. Some would be using pure online, pure modular, while others are combination of the two.

In earlier reports, many students and groups have also called for an academic freeze as the country fights the pandemic. They pointed out that the coronavirus lockdown affected household finances, and many Filipinos don't even have access to a computer or the internet. Some learners resorted to social media, seeking help so they could buy laptops or gadgets needed for their online mode of learning. 

Some classes in colleges and universities are expected to start this month.