CHED: No one-size-fits-all rule for ending semestral classes

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) says a one-size-fits-all approach to ending or extending semestral classes due to the COVID-19 crisis is not feasible.

Prospero de Vera, CHED chairman, noted that different regions in the Philippines are affected differently by the pandemic and colleges use two academic calendars.

CHED allowed universities using the old calendar (June to May) to end their current semester by April 30, while those on the new calendar (August to July) can extend for up to one month after ECQ ends.

Netizens debated CHED's decision to leave it to individual institutions whether to implement mass promotion of students during the pandemic.

UP’s Board of Regents recommended ending the second semester by April 30 and giving deferred grades, allowing students until May to complete requirements.