MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said on Wednesday, December 1, that only fully vaccinated students could join limited face-to-face classes.

At a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, CHED Executive Director Cinderella Benitez-Jaro said that unvaccinated students can continue their education through the flexible learning system.

“For those unvaccinated or students who can’t participate in limited face-to-face classes, they shall continue to be governed by our guidelines on flexible learning – online and offline modes,” she said.

“Flexible learning” for higher education institutions involves a combination of digital and non-digital technology, which according to CHED, doesn’t necessarily require being connected to the internet. (READ: During pandemic, student climbs a mountain to send class requirement)

CHED also said only fully vaccinated teaching and non-teaching personnel can join the limited face-to-face classes.

As of November 25, 82.45% of the 290,380 personnel of higher education institutions have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Meanwhile, 45.91% of the 4,007,795 college students have received their vaccination.

For schools to be allowed to conduct the classes, CHED will require them to retrofit facilities to be protective from COVID-19, and to comply with minimum public health standards.

The government’s pandemic task force approved on November 16 the phased rollout of face-to-face classes for colleges and universities.

• In Phase 1, all regions under Alert Level 2 may apply to conduct limited face-to-face classes beginning December 2021 and onwards.
• In Phase 2, all regions under Alert Level 3 can apply. The implementation period will be January 2022 and onwards.

Before the approval for all degree programs to participate in face-to-face classes, the CHED previously only allowed certain programs that required hands-on experience, like medicine and engineering.

CHED chief Prospero de Vera III said that the commission was partnering with regional offices, the Department of Health, and local government units to conduct school-based vaccination to fast-track the inoculation of tertiary students. – Rappler.com