SEN. Nancy Binay yesterday urged the Commission on Higher Education to expand face-to-face classes in other courses since a big number of college students are now vaccinated against COVID-19.
In a radio interview, Binay said CHED should also consider other college courses, adding there is no reason to prevent college students from attending physical classes now that places of convergence such as arcades, restaurants, and beaches, among others, have been opened to vaccinated individuals.
Only students in medicine, allied health sciences, engineering and technology, hospitality management, hotel and restaurant management, tourism management, marine engineering, and marine transportation programs are currently allowed to participate in face-to-face classes.
“I think we can reopen classes in all courses…My point is if arcades, movie houses, and beaches are now open, I see no reason why college students cannot be allowed to attend physical classes. There are many in the tertiary level who are already vaccinated,” Binay said.
Last Friday, CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera said face-to-face classes in other college courses in low-risk areas remain prohibited due to low COVID-19 vaccination coverage among university students.
Citing reports from higher education institutions, De Vera said only 27 percent of students are so far vaccinated.
He said local governments should be consulted and the vaccination rate of school personnel must be high before in-person classes for all degree programs can be allowed to resume.
Binay, however, believes college students can be allowed to have face-to-face classes since they face the same risk of exposure to the virus when they go to malls, eat at restaurants, or watch a movie.
She said university officials can have flexible class schedules so the exposure of students can be lessened, adding that non-vaccinated students can be exempted from physical classes.
Sen. Francis Tolentino on Sunday said an enabling law is not needed to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory in school-age children.
Tolentino said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III can issue a department circular that will include COVID-19 in the government’s basic immunization program based on RA 10152 or the Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011.
