MANILA, Philippines — Higher Education institutions (HEIs) implementing “flexible learning” may start the next academic year by August, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) said Thursday.
“HEIs that are using flexible learning can open in August 2020,” CHEd chairman Prospero De Vera III said in the online House higher education committee hearing.
“Flexible learning”, according to De Vera, uses “digital and non-digital technology,” and does “not necessarily require connectivity.” One example is the use of national and community radio.
De Vera added that HEIs who are completely using online learning can continue on with their semesters during the period of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
“Because it is completely online, and therefore there is no problem of social distancing and the others,” De Vera pointed out.
Meanwhile, HEIs that are using “residential learning” or face-to-face learning can open by September or at a later date, under a modified ECQ, according to the CHEd chief.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government placed “high-risk” areas for virus transmission under ECQ, which suspended classes in those areas.
President Rodrigo Duterte has extended ECQ for Metro Manila, Central Luzon (except Aurora province), Calabarzon, Pangasinan, Benguet (including Baguio), as well as other parts of Visayas and Mindanao until May 15.
Some areas, meanwhile, will already be under general community quarantine starting May 1. This means that certain quarantine protocols will be eased in these areas.
As of Thursday, the Philippines has 8,488 COVID-19 cases, of which 1,043 have recovered while 568 have died.