Duterte OKs limited face-to-face classes for 5 other degree programs –CHED

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday approved the request of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to allow face-to-face classes for five other degree programs in higher education institutions that are under a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

Currently, the national government only allows limited face-to-face classes for allied health sciences and medicine.

In a statement, CHED chairperson Prospero De Vera III announced that the Palace issued authority for limited face-to-face classes in:

• Engineering and Technology programs
• Hospitality/ Hotel and Restaurant Management
• Tourism/ Travel Management
• Marine Engineering
• Marine Transportation

“The Commission thanks President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the approval of limited face-to-face classes for the said programs in order to contribute to the efforts to boost the economic recovery of the country, as this will directly affect human resource development,” said De Vera.

De Vera said the commission presented evidence to the Inter-Agency Task Force Emerging Infectious Diseases proving that there was only a small percentage of learners and teachers who were infected with COVID-19 due to strict protocols, putting up crisis management committees, and coordination with local government units.

He further pointed out that almost half of 2,000 universities and colleges opened this school year while others are planning to start classes in October or November.

Higher education institutions planning to start limited physical classes may coordinate with CHED Regional Offices.

CHED requested the government to allow limited face-to-face classes in non-health courses that need hands-on experience as the competency of these graduates might be questioned. — DVM, GMA News