CHED urged to adopt DepEd stance on non-vaccinated students

Acosta said denying higher education access to non-vaccinated individuals violates their constitutional rights.  (File Photo: Ed Us/Unsplash)

MANILA – The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Monday asked for official directives on colleges and universities which discriminate against students who are not vaccinated against Covid-19.

PAO chief Persida Acosta said the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) must adopt the policy of the Department of Education (DepEd), which had clearly proscribed discrimination of non-vaccinated learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel.

CHED has supervision over higher education institutions (HEIs), which are usually granted self-regulation.

“We urge the CHED to adapt, align, and follow the move, the will, and the decision of the DepEd, through the Honorable Vice-President and Department Secretary Sara Z. Duterte, in issuing a non-discriminatory policy relative to Covid-19 vaccination status of students and staff in schools under DepEd, for the benefit of all students about to enroll, are enrolling, and are continuing their studies in HEIs in the Philippines,” Acosta said in a statement.

Acosta said CHED “can totally avert confusion that often leads to restriction and deprivation of the right to education of the youth about to enroll, are enrolling, and are continuing their studies in the HEIs under its jurisdiction” by “conveying a policy of equal tenor, and by not passing on the ball of decision to create rules relative to the restriction or accommodation of students and staff.”

Last year, CHED Chair Prospero De Vera III said it is up to the university concerned to decide whether or not they will require vaccination for students attending limited face-to-face classes.

“While we do not do require mandatory vaccinations, universities can do it because it’s their facilities that are being managed,” De Vera said at that time.

Michael Poa, DepEd spokesperson, said in a radio interview on Sunday that the agency adheres to a “no discrimination” policy for both vaccinated and unvaccinated personnel and students.

“Kahit bakunado o hindi ang teachers, learners, papapasukin po lahat. This is because ang national vaccination program natin ay hindi po mandatory (Whether teachers or learners are vaccinated or not, they will be allowed inside schools. This is because our national vaccination program is not mandatory),” Poa said.

Acosta said denying higher education access to non-vaccinated individuals violates their constitutional rights.