New semester sees continued caution on campus reopenings
As a new university semester begins this month in many parts of East and Southeast Asia, still affected by second and third waves of COVID-19, online courses are still common and there is evidence in several countries that students are opting out for the semester until physical classes resume.
Vaccine roll-outs, which began in February in some countries in Asia, have so far had barely any impact on universities which are still implementing special measures for the coming semester and are likely to continue until at least June. These include socially distanced classes, testing and other measures.
Published February 3, 2021 4:50pm Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno on Wednesday approved of the University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) plan to hold limited face-to-face classes for medical and allied health programs amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, he added, students who do not want to attend face-to-face classes should not be forced to do so. “Huwag niyong pilitin ang ayaw,” Moreno was quoted as saying by the Manila PIO. Among the schools that have been allowed limited face-to-face classes include the University of the Philippines Manila, the Ateneo de Manila University, and the Our Lady of Fatima University in Valenzuela.
Published January 28, 2021, 8:56 PM
A students’ group on Thursday has expressed concern over the planned return of limited face-to-face classes for students of medicine and allied health sciences in select schools amid the ongoing pandemic.
In a statement, the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) has aired its concern for the safety of the medical students returning to schools despite the lingering threat of COVID-19.
“We have been clamoring for the safe resumption of classes, this is only feasible if the government presents a comprehensive medical solution to flatten the curve and to reduce the viral transmission,” said NUSP National President Jandeil Roperos.
Published January 25, 2021 8:44pm The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved the return to limited face-to-face classes for students of medicine and allied health sciences as well as universities in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). According to Ivan Mayrina’s “24 Oras” report on Monday, among the schools that have been allowed to hold limited face-to-face classes are the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, Ateneo de Manila University, and the Our Lady of Fatima University in Valenzuela. “The president has approved my recommendation to have limited face-to-face [classes] within higher education institutions in medicine and allied health sciences in MGCQ areas and in GCQ areas where the students go into COVID-19 hospitals,” CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said.