Changes in flexible learning scheme should be made in next academic year –COCOPEA

On the heels of the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) order for higher education institutions (HEIs) to adopt full face-to-face classes or offer hybrid learning in the second semester of the current school year, a group of private schools said that any changes in the policy on flexible or hybrid learning should be implemented in the next academic year.

“Ang lumalabas na isyu sa mga private higher educational institution... kung may pagbabago o transition sa policy ng flexible learning, ang request nila, sana magsimula sa next academic year. Maiksi na kasi ang panahon ngayon para ipatupad ito sa second semester,” Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA) spokesperson Noel Estrada said in an interview on Dobol B TV on Saturday.

(The issue emerging from private higher educational institutions is… if there are changes or transitions in the policy of flexible learning, their request is to begin it in the next academic year. There's not enough time to implement it in the second semester.)

On Wednesday, CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III 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.”

"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 online modality," the CHED said in its Memorandum Order No. 16.

"For HEI's that will opt to deliver their degree programs in hybrid learning mode, at least 50% of the total contact time should be spent on onsite learning experiences," it added.

For COCOPEA, Estrada said, the gains made in using digital learning platforms should not be sacrificed in the effort to fulfill the latest CHED order.

“Marami nang ginawang paghahanda ang mga estudyante at guro para sa hybrid learning... baka magulo ang entire system kapag ipinatupad agad ang mandatory face-to-face classes sa kolehiyo,” he said.

(Students and teachers have done a lot for hybrid learning… the entire system might be affected if the mandatory face-to-face classes in colleges will be implemented immediately.)

“‘Yung mga investment on resources, training faculty, learning gains, maaaring masakripisyo kapag ginawa nang mandatory ang full face-to-face classes sa HEIs,” he added.

(The investments in resources, training faculty, and learning gains could be sacrificed if face-to-face learning will be made mandatory in HEIs.)

Memorandum Order No. 16 also mandated that laboratory courses, on-the-job training (OJT), and National Service Training Program activities should also 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. — DVM, GMA Integrated News