The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is leaving the decision to suspend online classes up to the concerned higher education institutions after internet service providers announced their scheduled repairs.
“These are matters that HEIs handle. These matters are local and affect individual universities,” Chairperson Prospero De Vera III clarified.
“Suspension of classes has always been a responsibility of HEIs so unless the Telco repairs will cover the whole country CHED will not get involved in class suspensions,” De Vera added.
Some education institutions and colleges have already announced the temporary suspension of synchronous online discussion following the advisories of telecom companies on emergency maintenance that will last until next week.
Some schools have also been placed under academic break status starting today until September 30.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) said students may adjust in the absence of internet connectivity after the opening of public elementary and high schools on October 5. Schools have alternative means if such situation happens.
“Marami namang options para matuto ang mga bata. Kapag walang internet pwedeng digital-modular ‘yung learning resources nila gagamitin nila, aaralin ng mga bata sa bahay nila kahit walang internet (There are many options for learning. If there is no internet, the digital-modular learning resources can be used at home without internet),” DepEd USec. Diosdado San Antonio explained.
Smart and PLDT assured in a statement that internet connectivity will remain despite the maintenance activities and “students can still do their online studies and exams and users in homes and businesses can go about their normal internet-based activities during this time.”
– Report from Kenneth Paciente
