Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved a policy granting all higher education institutions (HEIs) full flexibility to shift to 100% online classes amid the fuel and power crisis triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis said the move is a temporary crisis-response measure under the agency’s “Academic Sustainability Plan” and builds on flexible learning rules first used during the COVID-19 pandemic.It also aligns with the government’s broader energy conservation push under Office of the President Memorandum Circular No. 114, which directed agencies and institutions to adopt energy-saving measures amid rising global fuel prices.Agrupis clarified, however, that schools opting to go fully online will not automatically be considered accredited providers of formal online distance education under CHED’s existing Online Distance Education Learning (ODEL) framework.“There are some procedures and requirements for a university to apply so that they will be recognized and credited as a school who can deliver pure distance learning,” Agrupis explained.During the pandemic, CHED had allowed private HEIs to hold classes under a 50-50 arrangement, 50% online and 50% face-to-face, while state universities and colleges could implement a 75% face-to-face and 25% online setup.Agrupis said CHED has now decided to relax those ceilings, allowing schools to go fully online if they are capable of doing so.“We just approved yesterday (April 6) that we are giving the full flexibility of all higher education institution to adhere to the previously issued COVID-19 pandemic CMO. But on top of that, depending on their perceived readiness to offer the pure online, sila na iyong mag-de-determine,” she said.“But it does not necessarily mean that if they offer na 100% online teaching and learning management system, ay hindi ibig sabihin na automatic na certified na sila for the ODEL program,” she added.She said the new advisory is meant to help students, teachers, and institutions cope with the impact of the ongoing fuel and energy situation, particularly the burden of commuting and electricity expenses.Agrupis further clarified that schools should only implement a full online setup if they have sufficient information technology infrastructure and if faculty members are ready to deliver courses effectively in a digital environment. She stressed that learning outcomes must not be compromised.The flexibility is not limited to the current academic year, Agrupis added, saying CHED is reactivating and expanding an existing framework rather than introducing a one-time policy.She also said courses with laboratory requirements are already addressed under specific provisions of CHED’s earlier memorandum order.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved a policy granting all higher education institutions (HEIs) full flexibility to shift to 100% online classes amid the fuel and power crisis triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved a policy granting all higher education institutions (HEIs) full flexibility to shift to 100% online classes amid the fuel and power crisis triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

CHED allows colleges, universities to shift to 100% online classes amid fuel supply crunch

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CHED allows colleges, universities to shift to 100% online classes amid fuel supply crunch

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 08, 2026 12:46 AM PHT

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Updated April 08, 2026 03:30 PM PHT

Read More:

CHED

Online Class

Distance Learning

Higher Education Institution

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