Coronavirus prevention, control and mitigation in schools and in communities is a national concern. Enhanced community quarantine was extended in Luzon to April 30, 2020. In other regions outside of the NCR local government units have the discretion to suspend classes within its respective jurisdiction provided that, measures and arrangements are in place for the students to comply with their class requirements. All higher education institutions (HEIs) must work and coordinate with their local governments if they need to suspend classes, adjust their semesters or cancel other events within their universities and colleges. 

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) advised all HEIs to discourage mass gathering; cancelling or postponing big group activities and events; suspends students’ internship or OJT programs abroad and negotiate with their partner institutions to adjust their program until the situation is under better control; suspend participation of students, staff and faculty in seminars, workshops and other events, especially those that involve travel outside the province; and continue to remind students, staff, faculty and administrators to practice personal preventive measures such as proper hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and social distancing.

All HEIs are advised to exercise discretion in the field deployment of NSTP students for the current semester and allow the conduct school-based service activities as an alternative. In case of students undergoing on-the-job (OJT) training, HEI shall facilitate alternative activities to enable the concerned students to complete required practicum/OJT hour. HEIs are advised to deploy available distance learning, e-learning, and other alternative modes of delivery in lieu of residential learning if they have the resources to do so; evaluate students on the basis of available indicators as of this time and forgo other curricular activities for the remainder of the semester; exercise discretion to postpone graduation ceremonies, if needed; and implement extraordinary and swift measures to address the needs of students, employees, and other stakeholders arising from COVID-related issues. Private HEIs which will undertake such measures do not need to obtain prior approval from the CHED but are directed to inform CHED in writing and coordinate with the CHED regional offices to monitor and provide guidance and assistance should the need arises. 

In some hospitals in the country serving as training centers for medical and nursing students with confirmed COVID-19 cases, CHED is appealing to officials of these hospitals to exercise leniency during this difficult time and explore alternative modes to continue the medical training and education of the students without compromising their safety. 

In the past several days during the suspension of classes due to COVID-19, some of the public and private HEIs in the region have done their share to support our front liners in fighting the corona virus by producing face masks and shields for health workers and front liners. Congratulations 

In this time of crisis some students and parents who were unable to pay tuition and other fees were appealing to private higher education institutions for consideration. In line with this CHED urged private higher education institutions (PHEIs) to address these concerns in collection of tuition and miscellaneous fees without undermining the prompt payment of salaries of their faculty and other school personnel. This may include not collecting tuition fees during the 30 day quarantine period, suspending late payment penalties and allowing payment on staggered basis. 

On CHED scholarship programs students no longer need to submit their application at the CHED Regional Office. The application may be submitted through https://ched.gov.ph/stufaps/ or they may refer to www.chedro6.com on or before May 31, 2020. All HEIs were requested to assist CHED in informing the students.