CHEd OIC Prospero de Vera III at a Palace briefing. (File photo by KING RODRIGUEZ / Malacañang)
MANILA, Philippines — Most higher education institutions (HEIs) in Metro Manila will open classes in February instead of January due to the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases, Chairman Prospero de Vera III of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) said in the weekly taped “Talk to the People” with President Rodrigo Duterte that aired late Monday night.
“As of now, many universities have decided, especially in Metro Manila, to open their second semester in February instead of January,” De Vera said in Filipino.
Among these is the University of the Philippines, which is set to open on Feb. 7 “because they are still looking at the situation on the ground,” De Vera said.
Limited in-person classes will also start in February, which in the case of UP, will only be exclusive to its graduate school and graduating students.
“Face-to-face classes will begin once the conditions are safe for students,” De Vera said.
According to him, many HEIs in Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga have also not yet opened due to the effects of Typhoon Odette.
“Many universities have not yet opened because their facilities have been damaged. There’s no electricity in some areas or there’s no internet,” De Vera said.
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