CHEd: Foreign internships and OJTs suspended this school year

MANILA, Philippines – Students can no longer have their internships in the field and abroad due to the threat of the new coronavirus, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) said Wednesday.

CHEd Chairperson Prospero de Vera said foreign and local internships have been suspended to prevent students from contracting the new coronavirus.

“Hindi na magpapadala ang mga universities ng mga estudyante abroad simula ngayong school year na ito dahil hindi tayo sigurado sa kaligtasan ng mga bata,” de Vera said.

(Universities will stop sending students abroad starting this school year since we cannot be sure of the safety of the kids.)

CHEd, meanwhile, advised universities to conduct internships within school properties so that the conditions of students can be easily monitored.

“Hindi tayo sigurado kung yung padadalhan natin na lugar ay ligtas or kung yung business ay bukas – so ang first priority gawin muna sa pamantasan habang hinihintay natin yung development sa ekonomiya.” He said.

(We cannot make sure if the places where the students will be sent to will be safe or open – so our first priority is to conduct the internship programs within the school property and wait for further development in our economy.)

Internship students, particularly students from Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) courses, will have a hard time looking for companies to have their OJTs since the general community quarantine guidelines requires the closure of hotels and similar establishments, said De Vera.

Meanwhile, the safety of internship students while traveling was also considered in the suspension of the program.

“Pag naka-contract sila ng virus pagpunta at pabalik nila sa internship, sino accountable dyan?” De Vera asked.

(If they contract the virus to and from their internships, who would be held accountable?)  (Jim Mendoza, Trainee)

/MUF