CHED monitors opening of face-to-face classes in universities, colleges

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will monitor opening of limited face-to-face classes in higher education institutions (HEIs) expected to start this February.
    CHED Chairman Popoy De Vera told reporters in a series of Viber messages on Thursday, Feb. 3 that the number of HEIs that will offer limited face-to-face classes for all degree programs is not yet available.
    “The opening of the second semester in many universities will start this February so that data will be available in two weeks’ time,” De Vera said in a mix of English and Filipino.
    De Vera explained that in November 2020, he issued an advisory stating that HEIs that were ready can start holding limited face-to-face for all degree programs.
    Universities and colleges located in areas under Alert Level 2 were allowed to open limited face-to-face classes in December 2021.
    Those HEIs in areas under Alert Level 3 were allowed to open in-person classes for all degree programs by January 2022.
    However, due to the surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, CHED and the Department of Health (DOH) decided to make some adjustments in the schedule.
    “In January, upon discussion with DOH, I issued an advisory saying that HEIs in Alert Level 3 may open by Jan. 31, 2022,” De Vera said.