The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) on Monday said medical schools that have been approved to hold face-to-face classes would start classes this second semester.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier authorized the conduct of limited face-to-face classes for select medical courses and schools in the country amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a Laging Handa briefing, CHEd Chairman Prospero de Vera said schools with retrofitted facilities and approved by the commission may already hold classes.
“Doon sa ibang eskwelahan na naghanda early on, ngayong second semester ay magsisimula na sila. Halimbawa, iyong Our Lady of Fatima ay matagal nang nag-retrofit, noong isang taon pa kaya sila’y handang-handa na. Iyong mga iba, hindi pa sila puwedeng magsimula hanggang aprubahan sila ng Komisyon,” he said.
De Vera said only students aged 20 years old and above would be allowed to attend in-person classes amid the pandemic.
He also stressed that participation in face-to-face classes should not be mandatory.
“Hndi ito sapilitan. Ibig sabihin, iyong mga estudyante na ayaw mag-face-to-face kailangan bigyan ng alternatibo ng mga pamantasan kaya dapat sila’y magkonsultasyon sa kanilang mga estudyante at mga magulang,” he said. John Ezekiel J. Hirro