There will be no regular in-person classes in the opening of the semester this coming August, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson Prospero de Vera III clarified on Saturday.

“CHED wants to make it very clear that higher education institutions (HEIs) will open the semester in August using flexible learning mode. There are no regular face-to-face classes in August,” he said.

The statement came following a Rappler story, which quoted him as saying: “We are ready to open [classes] this August. No ifs, no buts. Learning must continue. We learn as one, we are ready.”

De Vera said the report failed to provide the full context behind his remarks, adding that netizens proceeded on bashing and accusing CHED and the government for being “insensitive” and “uncaring” for the health and safety of students.

“Without stating the proper context, the Rappler article made the readers who did not watch the CHED HiEd Press Conference believe that CHED is pushing for the opening of ‘regular’ classes by August despite the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

“The context behind the said quote is that the Commission recognizes the bayanihan spirit of the HEIs to help other HEIs, especially those in far-flung areas to prepare them for flexible learning when classes resume in August,” he noted.

Based on its proposed guidelines on the implementation of flexible learning, the agency defines such arrangement as the “design and delivery of programs, courses, and learning interventions that address learners’ unique needs in terms of place, pace, process, and products of learning.”

It noted that this also involves the use of digital and non-digital technology and could cover both in-person learning and out-of-classroom learning modes. (PNA)