Commission on Higher Education (CHED) continues to pedal towards the advancement of higher education in Central Luzon amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
CHED OIC-Regional Director Maria Teresita Semana said that although faced by a pandemic, they continue to work with higher education institutions (HEIs) towards achieving a prosperous community and holistic quality of education so that no student will be left behind.
“Indeed, there are many reasons to celebrate as the higher education sector in Region 3 scored many victories in the past months. These victories would not have been made possible without the direct and active involvement and cooperation of the HEIs, partner agencies, and professional organizations in our region,” she said.
Semana cited the brilliance and innovativeness of HEIs in battling COVID-19, adding that all the presidents, faculty members, and students are testaments that together, we can move forward and we can make every Filipino student’s dream come true.
With this, she affirms CHED’s support for the welfare of the students as it remains consistent in its programs during the new normal including the delivery of flexible learning and provision of scholarships not only to the students but to the faculty members as well.
“We had webinars to raise the level of knowledge and skills of the faculty members. We also have programs devoted to research, extension, internationalization, and instruction. All of these are to ensure continuity of learning even during the pandemic,” Semana said.
She said they also had webinars for the youth including the #KamalayanProgressive Webinar Series on going back to school to prepare students in case they are allowed to return to their respective universities and colleges.
Aside from focusing on the academics, CHED also aims to make learning holistic as it gears to instill in the hearts and minds of the youth the virtue of patriotism and nationalism, and strengthen the campaign against illegal drugs and terrorism.
During the first semester, there are 212 HEIs in the region, with 342,000 students enrolled for the Academic Year 2020-2021, and more than 12,000 faculty members. (PIA 3)
