CHED: Schools to decide on mandatory in-person classes

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) cannot force colleges and universities to impose full implementation of face-to-face classes, its chairperson Prospero De Vera III said Wednesday.

“We cannot require all schools to do face-to-face because there are schools that have been doing distance learning and flexible learning even before the pandemic,” De Vera said in a press conference.

He made the statement when asked if CHED will also impose a mandatory resumption of full in-person classes like the Department of Education (DepEd).

De Vera added that CHED is unlike the basic education program that has almost uniform curriculum.

“Some degree programs really need a lot of face to face especially skills-based programs, while other programs can be delivered by flexible learning so we are leaving it to the universities to decide what is the appropriate mix,” he said.

On Tuesday, the DepEd said starting November 2, all public and private schools shall have transitioned to five days of in-person classes.

“No school shall be allowed to implement purely distance learning or blended learning except for those implementing Alternative Delivery Modes as provided in DO 21, s. 2019 (Policy Guidelines on the K to 12 Basic Education Program) and DO 01, s. 2022 (Revised Policy Guidelines on Homeschooling Program),” it said. —LBG, GMA News