MANILA — The University of the East (UE) and University of Santo Tomas (UST) said Wednesday that they would start the coming school year in August for the college level and implement alternatives to physical classes while the country continued to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, UE said Academic Year (AY) 2020 to 2021 for undergraduate and graduate students at its Manila and Caloocan campuses would start on August 5.

Online admission and registration for incoming freshmen at UE colleges will start on June 1, it said.

Enrollment for students in the basic education level will start on June 8, with the school year scheduled to start in mid-July, the university said, adding that another announcement on the matter would be released later this week.

UE also said it would implement "flexible learning options" as an alternative to in-person classes, which have been discouraged to avoid exposing students, educators and school personnel to the new coronavirus disease.

"Given the so-called new normal of the times, the University will adapt CHED-certified flexible learning options, with academic activity to be conducted largely off-campus and online," the university said, referring to the Commission on Higher Education.

"More on this in a future post prior to the start of the school year," UE added.

UST, meanwhile, will start AY 2020 to 2021 on August 13, with the first term ending on December 18, according to a statement by University Rector Fr. Richard Ang.

The school opening schedule for the high school level has yet to be announced.

Ang said UST would implement an "enriched virtual mode, with classes facilitated remotely using both online and offline strategies."

"Our academic units shall release their discipline-specific policies and implementing guidelines, in consideration of the distinctive context and the unique demands of our various degree programs," he added.

In-campus classes will only resume once government allows it, with the strict implementation of public health standards, Ang said.

Ang reiterated that UST would not raise tuition, and would review and adjust fees for the coming school year. Staggered payment schemes will also be implemented, he said.

Rector fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P. announces the mode of instructional delivery for the Special Term of A.Y. 2019-2020 and the First Term of A.Y. 2020-2021.

UST also announces the steps taken to help the families of our students cope with financial concerns during this time. pic.twitter.com/ErsdnAHn3h

— University of Santo Tomas (@UST1611official) May 27, 2020

He said university scholarships granted during the second term of AY 2019 to 2020 would continue until December 2020.

The Commission on Higher Education earlier said the opening of classes in colleges and universities depended on the learning delivery mode that they would implement.

• Opening of classes in colleges, universities based on education delivery mode: Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte had said Monday he was against holding physical classes until a vaccine for the coronavirus disease has been developed.

Rector fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P. announces the mode of instructional delivery for the Special Term of A.Y. 2019-2020 and the First Term of A.Y. 2020-2021.

UST also announces the steps taken to help the families of our students cope with financial concerns during this time. pic.twitter.com/ErsdnAHn3h

— University of Santo Tomas (@UST1611official) May 27, 2020