MANILA, Philippines — The Centro Escolar University (CEU) Manila has been allowed by the city government to hold limited face-to-face classes for its graduating dentistry students.
According to Manila Public Information Office (MPIO), Mayor Isko Moreno approved the proposal after a meeting on Monday with school officials including CEU School of Dentistry Dean Dr. Pearly Lim, CEU Community Dentistry head Dr. Felipe Wilfredo Espineli, and CEU Security Department head Col. Nicanor Grino.
The department officials, who represented CEU President Dr. Maria Cristina Padolina, said that the ace-to-face classes, albeit on a limited basis, is necessary because of the need for students to be able to conduct applied studies or practicum. The failure to do this due to the onset of the pandemic has led to the delay in the graduation of senior students by a year already.
Moreno, on the other hand, acknowledged that further stagnation of the students would have a detrimental effect on the whole city. He gave assurance, though, that students may avail of a free COVID-19 swab test if there is a need for it.
“Wala tayong maa-achieve if we stagnate. We believe in those institutions who will ask the permission of the City to hold limited face-to-face classes,” Moreno said.
(We cannot achieve anything if we stagnate. We believe in those institutions who will ask the permission of the City to hold limited face-to-face classes.)
“If you feel as if you neeed your students to be tested, the City of Manila is offering the free swab testing that we have to help. Huwag kayong mag-alala (Do not worry). You have the support of your city,” he added.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools have been forced to adopt either an online class setup or blended learning scheme which makes use of both online classes and modular teaching.
However, students have constantly complained of several hindrances to these systems, like the lack of adequate gadgets for online classes and slow internet speeds.
Also, there are some schools which have been forced to open purely theoretical subjects for their students, as practical applications in some programs like engineering or medical-related degrees are impossible online.
Just last February 3, Manila — where most of the top schools and universities are located — also allowed the limited face-to-face classes for University of Santo Tomas’ medical programs.
MPIO said that after getting clearance from the Manila City government, CEU will now comply with requirements set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
As of Monday, the country has over 27,000 active COVID-19 cases. However, local and national officials have been optimistic about lowering the number of cases as COVID-19 vaccines arrive between February and March.