By Kristine Agustin, Antoinette Capuz and Miguel Magbag
Limited face-to-face classes would be possible for other college programs if the data from the first batch would show that students and faculty are safe, Commission on Higher Education chairperson Prospero De Vera III said.
De Vera said he will recommend an “expanded limited face-to-face classes” to President Rodrigo Duterte once the results coming from the initial limited face-to-face classes of health-related programs show that it is feasible.
He said the expansion may include Engineering, Information Technology, Maritime, Industrial Technology, Veterinary Medicine, and Hotel and Restaurant Management programs.
"Once the data is okay, we can move it faster because the degree-specific guidelines are already being crafted as we speak,” he said.
While students’ vaccination is not required in the resumption of limited face-to-face classes for higher education, he said it will be viewed as an additional safety measure.
“We are hoping that as more vaccines come, we are also able to prepare our guideline for the expanded face-to-face so when the two overlap, we are assured that the students are safer,” De Vera said.