The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has granted colleges and universities nationwide the flexibility to transition to 100% online classes in response to the ongoing fuel supply disruption that is affecting transportation and daily commutes.

CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis stated that the move is a temporary crisis-response built based on the flexible rules used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Agrupis clarified that schools that transition to online learning will not be automatically accredited as formal online distance education providers 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.

Agrupis stated that thehas now chosen to lift these restrictions, enabling schools to switch to full online learning if they have the capacity to do so.

CHED had previously permitted higher education institutions to adopt a 50-50 arrangement, with 50% of classes held online and 50% face-to-face, while state universities and colleges were allowed a setup of 75% face-to-face and 25% online.

“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.

Agrupis further emphasized that the online learning option is temporary, designed specifically to address the immediate logistical challenges posed by the fuel crisis. 

While students continue to face transportation difficulties, the move will help ensure that education remains accessible without compromising academic schedules.

The new policy aligns with the Executive Branch's wider energy conservation efforts outlined in Office of the President Memorandum Circular No. 114, which instructed agencies and institutions to implement energy-saving measures in response to increasing global fuel prices.