Guidelines for the Prevention, Control and Mitigation of the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

April 13, 2020

CHED ADVISORY NO. 006-20

GUIDELINES FOR THE PREVENTION, CONTROL AND MITIGATION OF THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEIs)

In connection with the Memorandum from the Executive Secretary dated 7 April 2020 which provides for the continuation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and the stringent social distancing measures (SSDM) to cover the entire Luzon until 30 April 2020, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) hereby issues this advisory to all HEIs in the country. This advisory should be read in conjunction with previously issued CHED Advisories on COVID-19 (Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5).

• Classes in all levels and school activities including on-the-job training (OJT) and internships for the entire Luzon region will continue to be suspended until 30 April 2020.

• The continuation of the suspension of classes for areas outside of Luzon are determined by local governments based on the threat of COVID-19. HEIs outside of Luzon shall follow the guidelines in this advisory depending on the date of the lifting of the quarantine in their area and on their academic calendar.

• During the period of extended ECQ, HEIs shall continue to exercise their judgment in the deployment of available flexible learning and other alternative modes of delivery in lieu of in-campus learning if they have the resources to do so. The exercise of discretion by the HEIs and their faculty must be reasonable, transparent and outcomes-based validated.

• During the continuing ECQ, HEIs are authorized to determine how to best meet the contact hour requirements for the completion of a subject or degree program. HEIs may undertake alternative assessments and remediations and consider student assessment and computation of grades to be based on current student records and school academic policies.

• The learning delivery mode during the extended ECQ will depend on the available resources of the HEI and students. Students who lack connectivity during the ECQ period shall be allowed to complete their curricular requirements after the ECQ.

Guidelines for HEIs using the old academic calendar (June-May):

• HEIs that are using the old academic calendar are authorized to finish their current semester, trimester, quarter or equivalent academic period by 30 April 2020 utilizing a combination of flexible learning options that reflect the best assessment of their students' outcomes.

• In-person graduation ceremonies are discouraged given the continuing need for social distancing and the restrictions on mass gathering.

• All CHED recognized private HEIs, regardless of accreditation status, are allowed to exercise flexibility in determining the extent of adjustments for their approved academic calendar as provided in CHED Advisory No. 2 but are required to inform the CHED regional offices on the changes in their academic calendar, transition plans and implementation thereof.

Guidelines for HEIs using the new academic calendar (August-July):

• HEIs that are using the new academic calendar are authorized to extend their semester for a maximum of one (1) month after the lifting of the ECQ.

• Given the extension of the semester, HEIs may conduct summer/midterm classes only for graduating students who need to complete their academic requirements; for students whose subjects are scheduled in the summer under the PSG of their degree program; and students taking up graduate studies. The special summer classes must strictly observe social distancing and other safety requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• For degree programs that require internship and clinical duties, such as medicine, nursing, and allied health programs:

- HEIs shall be given the flexibility to extend classes/clinical duties and prepare a catch-up plan for their students for a maximum of one (1) month after the lifting of the ECQ. The duration of extension classes/clinical duties will be dependent on the alternative modes of learning instituted by the HEIs during the ECQ;

- Appropriate alternative learning platforms may be utilized by HEIs (e.g., electronic and non-electronic learning methods, modules, self-directed learning activities, simulations, case-based scenarios, among others) in exchange for the required contact hours to achieve the course outcomes/program outcomes including evaluation and assessment based on the HEI's assessment of its instructional capabilities;

- HEIs are allowed flexibility in modifying or reducing program requirements (e.g., number of: clinical/surgical procedures assisted/done, reports submitted, bedside procedures assisted/done, among others) in order to meet the requirements for graduation/promotion during this interim period. HEIs may use the extension of classes or summer/midterm to comply with requirements of laws covering specific professions (such as R.A. 7392 or the Philippine Midwifery Act of 1992);

- HEIs shall coordinate with the various health facilities where students are currently deployed and coordinate plans regarding the flexible curricular modification arrangements being advanced to facilitate issuance of necessary certificates of completion;

- The exercise of maximum consideration and leniency shall be accorded to students/clinical rotators in the conduct of make-up classes/clinical duties and modification of curricular requirements without compromising the attainment of learning outcomes.

• For degree programs such as accountancy, engineering, hospitality management, computer studies, industrial technology and other non-health related programs:

- Students undergoing On-the-Job Training/Internship where the students have been pulled out of their respective training centers and transferred to the University/College due to the ECQ should not be allowed to go back to their respective companies or offices. The total number of training hours earned in their respective training centers prior to the implementation of the ECQ shall be considered and credited by HEIs.

- HEIs through their respective Student Internship Program (SIP) Supervisors/Head/Coordinator shall exercise discretion in facilitating flexible learning activities based on the established training plan of the program, to comply with the remaining number of required training hours.

- Alternative learning activities such as modules, self-directed learning activities, case studies, assignments or other related activities performed by the student-trainees in the offices/laboratories shall be part of the portfolio to be submitted by the trainees.

- The Student Internship Program Coordinator (SIP) shall be responsible in assessing/evaluating the outputs of the student-trainees and in the computation and submission of their grades.

• CHED shall review the appropriate programs, standards and guidelines (PSGs) of these degree programs and make the necessary curricular modifications to cover the changes in internship, OJT and other requirements to be effective only for AY 2019-2020.

• In preparation for the return of classes after lifting the community quarantine, HEIs are advised to adopt measures to safeguard the health and safety of their returning students, faculty and staff. Given the different community quarantine policies among various localities, all HEIs should ensure that appropriate protocols relative to community quarantine are followed, accordingly, prior to and upon re-entry of their constituents.

• Where appropriate, HEIs shall conduct an inventory of all their constituents and categorize those who are coming from localities with and without COVID-19 positive cases. HEIs shall put up mechanisms to monitor the health of its students, faculty and staff, especially those coming from COVID-19 positive areas, and ensure that they get appropriate health care if they are ill.

• HEIs shall continue to direct all its employees to work from home except for offices which will require a skeletal workforce that will ensure the provision of essential basic services such as processing of salary, janitorial services to clean and disinfect facilities and offices and security services. HEIs with skeletal workforce must ensure its strict compliance with the precautionary measures directed by the DOH and quarantine measures enforced by the DILG and its respective local government. This arrangement should remain in effect until the enhanced community quarantine has been lifted.

As the pandemic situation is very fluid, the IATF, National Task Force COVID-19, together with the Executive Secretary, other line departments, and various heads of the military will continue to meet on a regular basis to assess the COVID-19 threat and will provide updates on any changes to the ECQ and SSDM. CHED will provide new directives and guidelines as they become available.

In the meantime, CHED strongly advises HEIs to refer and continue to observe the instructions stipulated in CHED Advisories Nos. 1 to 5.

(SGD.) J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III, DPAChairman