MANILA — Six universities are offering free training on flexible learning to faculty members from other higher education institutions, the Commission on Higher Education said Thursday, as in-person classes remain suspended due to the continued threat of the coronavirus pandemic.
Central Luzon State University, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Far Eastern University, Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, Philippine Normal University, and Tarlac Agricultural University are collaborating with the CHED for the "Hi-Ed Bayanihan" initiative, which aims to help prepare other schools for flexible learning.
"We're going to target faculty members of smaller universities that have limited capacity to do training programs," CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera said in a virtual press briefing.
Each university has its own training program, where teachers will be taught to revise their syllabi, come up with instructional materials for flexible learning, and use digital resources and tools, among others.
CHED Deputy Executive Director Lily Milla said they are working with regional offices to determine schools "that need the training or in their own cannot train the faculty."
Schools that want to train their faculty members may reach out to the six universities, she said.
De Vera said training for the teachers can only be done online.
Universities and colleges can ask their teachers to go to their campuses, where there is internet connectivity, for the training, as long as minimum health standards are followed, he said.
"What is critical is that the teachers who will be trained should have access to internet connectivity. Puwede naman iyan (That can be done) because we have already allowed our universities to have skeletal workforce," he said.
Milla added that other universities have expressed interest to provide flexible learning training to other schools.
Under flexible learning, universities and colleges deliver lessons based on the resources available to teachers and students. This can be done through online platforms, learning management systems, and educational packets, among others.
Colleges and universities can start their school year depending on their learning delivery mode.
Higher education institutions using full online education were allowed to open any time after May 31, while those with flexible learning can start in August.
Schools using significant face-to-face mode can open in September, according to the CHED.
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