CHED stands by 'devolved' approach on college class suspensions

Despite criticisms from college students, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is standing by its "devolved" approach on suspending classes during heavy rain and floods. CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan said they do not want to suspend classes for an entire region like Metro Manila if only a relatively small part is flooded or is experiencing heavy rain. "It's difficult kung central ang decision. always consider least common denominator, baha sa España or University Belt, declare (ka na ng suspension) sa Metro Manila. And yet that may not be the best. That's why we're trying to empower and train the schools you make the decisions and communicate to your students," Licuanan said in an interview on dwIZ radio. She said schools have many avenues of communications, including radio and TV, and "new media" such as Facebook and Twitter. For now, she said the rule of thumb is that students must be informed of class suspensions by 5:00 a.m. Dilemma during heavy rain Licuanan also admitted the CHED faces a dilemma during heavy rain and floods, without state weather forecasters declaring Signal No. 3. Signal No. 3 would have meant an automatic suspension of classes at the college level. "It's really a tough call, we have to decide, magsususpindi ako na naman? May required number of class days ang kolehiyo. Mamaya magreklamo ang magulang at estudyante dahil may makeup classes. We have to do that kung umuulan. mahirap, judgment call yan," she said. "It's not perfect, we realize that. but the alternative is probably just as bad if not worse," she said of the "decentralized" decision-making system. Licuanan also said they want schools to be the ones to suspend classes because the CHED wants "to teach and empower the schools." Students' situation Licuanan said another guideline is for schools to be more understanding of the situation of the students. "They should be given consideration and be allowed to make up. Naintindihan namin maski ang iskwelahan hindi baha baka naman sa daanan o bahay nila flooded. So okay, di dapat sila pumasok and dapat ang iskwelahan magbigay ng maximum consideration," she said. - VVP, GMA News