QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will not mandate Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to shift to in-person classes in the coming academic year.

In a media briefing on Wednesday, CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III said even before the pandemic, there are colleges and universities that have already introduced the distance and flexible learning.

“There is a difference between basic education and higher education, in basic education, there is just one curriculum, in higher ed, there are different programs with different components. Some degree programs really need a lot of face-to-face especially skills-based programs, while other programs can be delivered by flexible learning,” De Vera said.

De Vera noted there is no need to issue a formal order on face-to-face classes. He will leave it to the HEIs to create a learning set-up that will best suit their degree programs.

“There has been that kind of practice, and many of our universities have very good facilities to do flexible learning. They have learning management systems, they have strong connectivity, they have very good content materials, etc. So we will allow them to do that,” De Vera added.

However, De Vera said that CHED is anticipating a significant shift to face-to-face mode of learning in colleges and universities nationwide.

Meanwhile, De Vera acknowledged the pronouncement of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr to review the country’s curriculum to address the problem of mismatch between skills and jobs.

“The Commission fully supports the statement and the desire of President Marcos to review the curriculum because we have been reviewing it consistently,” De Vera stated.

De Vera explained that there are degree programs and courses that needs continuous review due to the significant shifts in markets and demands required by constant development in technology.

“You cannot have a curriculum that is not revised because you will be left behind,” De Vera emphasized. (JAFD/PIA-IDPD)