CHEd asks universities, colleges to train teachers on flexible learning

Universities and colleges should train its teachers on flexible learning arrangements, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) said Monday as it gears up for the opening of classes in higher education institutions in August.

Training of teachers should be done this month until June, CHEd Chairman Prospero de Vera III said. He added that universities and colleges were given until June to “firm up” their plans on flexible learning.

“We are rolling out a massive training program for teachers,” De Vera said in a virtual press briefing.

“I have issued the memorandum asking universities that can train teachers on flexible learning to submit proposals already to the commission for approval so they can start training teachers late May or early June,” he added.

Classes in universities and colleges are set to open in August even as the coronavirus crisis persists, De Vera said. Only higher education institutions using the old academic calendar (June to March) would need to adjust to the August opening of classes, he added.

“We are not changing the opening of classes. What will change is that many private universities who are still using the old calendar will now move to August,” he said.

“Those who still have difficulty and will still use residential or face-to-face classes can open later or in September,” he added.

The CHEd chairman also warned HEIs against limiting flexible learning to online classes, saying other modes of learning should be adopted too such as take-home activities.

“Hindi po natin papayagan na ang mga eskwelahan ay gagamit ng system na naagrabyado ang mga estudyante,” he said.

READ: Colleges, universities with ‘flexible’ learning can start classes in August: CHEd