CHED says face-to-face classes 'optional' in universities, colleges, select courses

On Tuesday, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said that the conduct of limited face-to-face classes would be optional for colleges and universities as well as courses that needs students to be physically present. 

Yong limited face-to-face is not a requirement, it is an option… given to universities who would like to do limited face-to-face under certain restrictions and guidelines,

said CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera. 

Photo credit: rappler.com

Guidelines will be issued within the month which give the schools time to prepare for their second semester said De Vera. He reiterated that limited face-to-face classes would only be for programs with activities that would be difficult to accomplish through remote learning. 

Maybe we can start only with the health-related programs [such as] medicine, nursing, physical therapy. Hindi ka magiging magaling na doktor o nurse kung hindi ka talaga pupunta sa ospital,

De Vera said. 

We need face-to-face kasi mayroon tayong experiential learning, meaning mas madali mo siyang turuan kapag ginagawa mo,

Galvez said. 

De Vera said that higher education institutions (HEIs) must coordinate with LGUs and CHED offices if they wish to hold face-to-face classes.