Over 130 colleges, universities declare academic break due to coronavirus surge
MORE THAN 130 universities and colleges have declared an academic break due to the current surge in coronavirus cases, according to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Sixteen of the 134 higher education institutions (HEIs) that declared a health break from Jan. 1 to 13 are located in Metro Manila, while 53 HEIs are in Calabarzon region, CHED Chair Prospero E. De Vera III said at a taped Cabinet meeting on Monday night.
He said that a total of 126 colleges and universities have also expressed “intention to declare an academic break” this month.
Meanwhile, Mr. De Vera said HEIs in Metro Manila have decided to start the implementation of limited face-to-face classes next month.
“The HEIs were nonetheless reminded to monitor the situation on the ground, to conduct mandatory consultations with teachers and students regarding the opening of limited face-to-face classes,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles said separately in a regular news conference on Tuesday.
BASIC EDUCATION
Mr. Nograles said President Rodrigo R. Duterte has also approved the recommendation of the Education department, which governs basic education levels, to expand limited in-person classes in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2 by next month.
“The President has no objection to the recommendation.
The Palace official said in-person classes would only be allowed with concurrence of local government units and approval of parents and other concerned parties.
“It will be the Department of Education and Department of Health combined that will be assessing the expansion of pilot implementation of face-to-face classes,” he said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
