Opening of college classes depends on schools’ ‘education delivery mode’ — Palace

MANILA, Philippines — The resumption of classes at the tertiary level would depend on the schools’ “education delivery mode” as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, Malacañang said Thursday.

According to presidential spokesman Harry Roque, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases has approved the recommendation of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) on the resumption of classes covering Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Colleges and universities using full online education can open anytime, Roque said.

Those using flexible learning may open classes in August while those schools using significant residential (face-to-face/in-person) mode can open not earlier than September 1.

There will be no face-to-face or in-person classes until August 31, Roque said.

Meanwhile, private HEIs are encouraged to change their academic calendar and open in August 2020.

“Patuloy po ang gagawing review ng CHEd sa mga kondisyon at pakikipag-usap sa mga higher educational institutions,” ROque said in a televised Palace briefing.

The Department of Education earlier announced that classes in the primary and secondary levels will open on August 24 and will end on April 31 through physical and virtual instruction modes.