The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said on Friday, November 5, that limited face-to-face classes in all degree programs are now allowed in areas that are under Alert Level 2, including Metro Manila. (Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story said the date was October 5.)

This, however, is still subject to certain conditions.

At the ceremonial COVID-19 vaccination of college students in Palawan State University, CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III said that for colleges and universities to have limited face-to-face classes, they should have high vaccination rate among students and faculty, approval from local government units, and retrofitted their facilities.

“In the IATF [Inter Agency Task Force], we discussed in the other day that in places that are already under Alert Level 2, we will allow now limited face-to-face up to 50% in all degree programs in these areas,” De Vera said.

In a separate press briefing on Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the conduct of limited of face-to-face classes in the college level would not be “instant.”

“Hindi pa po magkakaroon ng face-to-face classes sa Lunes. Kailangan po na pumayag muna ang mga LGUs (local government units) at mag retrofit muna tayo ng mga classrooms,” Roque said.

(This doesn’t mean that we would have face-to-face classes on Monday. LGUs need to approve it first and schools need to retrofit their facilities.)

Prior to this development, the government allowed in-person classes in degree programs that “require hands-on experience,” such as medical and allied health sciences, engineering, tourism, hotel and restaurant management, marine transportation, and technology programs.

CHED said that colleges and universities that want to have limited face-to-face classes as part of their flexible learning policy may now apply for authority with their regional units concerned. 

On Thursday night, November 4, the government body tasked to manage the COVID-19 pandemic decided to “de-escalate” Metro Manila to Alert Level 2 from Alert Level 3 beginning Friday, November 5.

The government’s pandemic response has been assailed, with critics saying that the school closure in the country reflects misplaced priorities and failed management of the health crisis.

Recently, calls for a nationwide academic break resurfaced as students still struggle to cope with the remote learning setup.

– Rappler.com