College students weigh in on CHED order nixing fully online classes for 2nd semester

Reactions are mixed among college students to the Commission on Higher Education's (CHED) order that classes in higher educational institutions should either be hybrid or fully in-person for the second semester of the academic year 2022–2023.

In an interview with GMA News Online on Thursday, some students agreed with CHED’s decision, saying that they can focus more on their studies and practice their skills through full face-to-face classes.

“Agree ako sa full face-to-face class na ipinabatid ng CHED dahil malaking tulong ito upang mas maging quality ang mga kaalaman na aming matutunan. Dahil marami conflict ang online class dahil gadgets lamang ang ginagamit, maaaring hindi naka tutok sa klase ang mga student,” said John Bidaja, first year Hospitality Management student from Bulacan Polytechnic College.

“Nice one po kung ia-adopt na full face-to-face classes sa second semester, kasi kahit sabihin nating may laboratory [classes sa course ko], hindi practical na online yung classes. Since ang hirap talaga mag-focus tapos may technical issues lagi tapos biglang face-to-face yung exams,” Jhasmin Casilao, first year Food Tech student from University of Santo Tomas (UST), said.

Glenn Bert Silvestre, a fourth year Hospitality Management student from Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), also agreed with the decision,  since many students have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

“[N]gayon namang madami na nababakunahan, masayang nakapag-desisyon na mag full face-to-face classes na sa college. Kasi ang hirap pag puro online, lalo na pag need talaga ng actual para maturo ng maayos, lalo na yung may mga laboratory classes mas need nila ng actual kesa sa mga recorded videos,” Silvestre said.

Hazel Argosino, first year Architecture student at Mapua University, said not much would change for her as she already goes to school almost every day.

“Araw-araw halos pasok namin so it's like full face-to-face na rin. If they're saying na magpapa-full face-to-face na sila, I think it's up to them kasi in our school we don't have a choice but to go to school almost every day, like the normal full face-to-face classes before the pandemic started,” Argosino said.

Rising costs

Other students, however expressed concern that some may find it difficult to attend full face-to-face classes due to rising prices.

“As an engineering student kasi na more on hands-on activities, mas mapa-practice ang aming skills kung face-to-face ang setup,” Coreen Anne Garcia, a fourth year Electronics and Communications Engineering student from PUP, said.

“However, not everyone has the financial capability to attend the face-to-face classes kasi mas mahal na rin ang mga pamasahe and expenses ngayon. At the same time, mentally draining rin ang full face-to-face compared sa online classes,” she added.

Aubrey Timado, a student of English Education in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), is saddened by the decision, saying that not all students were privileged and have the financial capacity to attend school every day.

“May lungkot at pangangamba na rin po na kasama dahil hindi naman lahat ay may pribilehiyo na hindi isipin ang pang araw araw na gastusin papasok ng eskwelahan lalo na dahil may inflation na nagaganap,” Timado said.

“Nakalulungkot kasi magbababa sila ng anunsyo na ganyan tapos wala namang kaakibat na konkretong plano. Malaki yung magiging epekto sa mga estudyante, lalo na sa mga working students. Dahil napaka anti poor para samin nung balita,” she said.

“Ganun pa man wala kaming choice. kahit na alam naming hadlang yung kahirapan sa pag aaral namin, lalo na sa sitwasyon ng bansa ngayon. kailangan po lumaban para sa pangarap at bayan,” she added.

Andrea Mae Ilagan, a first year Hospitality Management student of STI Balagtas, echoed Timado’s concerns.

“For me, hindi ako happy dahil magastos pag full face-to-face and aside from that ang daming iintindihin, pamasahe, pangkain, sobrang hassle lalo na malayo yung school, bukod sa nakakapagod na yung byahe e yung mga activities na need ma-accomplished pag-uwi," Ilagan said.

"Tapos yung ibang prof pa eh hindi nagbibigay ng consideration so for me, no ang full face-to-face classes,” she added.

Jared Lyle Nucuum, first year Architecture student from Mapua, said that CHED must give ample time for schools to prepare before implementing full face-to-face, adding that some universities have yet to prepare their facilities for the students.

Juliene Mae Rudis, Khianna Delos Santos, and Patrisha Villanueva, first year Civil Engineering students from UST, on the other hand, expressed their excitement for full face-to-face classes.

Amiel Magnaye, an Aeronautical Engineering student, also said this was the right time and is looking forward to the implementation of the program.

CHED has issued Memorandum Order No. 16, allowing “the disposition towards transitioning to the safe return to physical campuses and bringing back learners to school is ground as a result of recovery measures from the impact of COVID-19.”

Memorandum Order No. 16 also mandates that laboratory courses, on-the-job training (OJT), and National Service Training Program activities should also said to be held primarily onsite.

“Unless there is an approval from the Commission on Higher Education, an HEI cannot offer its recognized degree programs in full distance learning delivery including fully online modality,” it added.

Students and teachers attending face-to-face classes may also now opt to remove their face masks even in classrooms, as the DepEd earlier confirmed that they will abide by the existing national policy allowing optional masking indoors and outdoors amid the COVID-19 pandemic. — BM, GMA Integrated News