Public universities resume face-to-face classes this Monday, March 28

After two years of virtual classes due to COVID-19, public universities start with face-to-face and blended classes from this Monday March 28th. Thus, more than 350,000 students will gradually return to the classroom to start the 2022-I cycle, according to the hybrid model and the percentage of face-to-face that each faculty will implement within the framework of their autonomy.

In this sense, R.V.M. No. 015-2022-MINEDU states that face-to-face should be prioritized in programs that require intensive use of laboratories and workshops. Thus, 8% of public universities will start the academic year in March, 49% in April, 27% in May, and 10% between June and August. 6% of universities are about to define the start date.

TYPES OF CLASSES

According to the Government's provisions, there are three scenarios in the 2022-I cycle:

-The first scenario involves the grouping of students, with simultaneous, mixed, parallel replicated and rotating classes in groups.

-The second is focused on the nature of the subject and can be carried out face-to-face or non-face-to-face, as well as mixed.

-Finally, the third includes personalized advice, autonomy to choose the form of the course, strategic learning points and summer or holiday activities.

WHAT CLASSES START CLASSES THIS MARCH 28

One of the first universities to open its doors is the National University of the Altiplano (UNAP), which has 18,000 students. From March 28, students from sixth to tenth cycle will take face-to-face classes, while those in minor cycles will do so in virtual and blended learning.

UNAP has invested more than S/ 400,000 in maintenance and repairs to receive its students. In addition, in a coordinated work with DIRESA, it will carry out vaccination campaigns in its university community.

Similarly, the Universidad Nacional de Frontera, which also begins the academic year on Monday, March 28, will implement hybrid teaching models in which blended learning will prevail. To receive its students, it has staff who will be responsible for biosafety monitoring and a strict protocol to enter the campus, which includes having the vaccine, wearing a double mask, washing hands, among other measures.

In the case of the Universidad Nacional de San Martín, the blended learning modality will be implemented at the Rioja, Moyobamba and Lamas headquarters, while the Tarapoto headquarters will continue with the virtual modality due to the works being developed in the university city. Among the main measures implemented, there has been a maximum capacity per classroom of 23 people.

OMBUDSMAN'S OFFICE

The Office of the Ombudsman demanded the compulsory return to face-to-face classes at universities and urged the authorities to provide the necessary guarantees to ensure that this process is carried out in the best conditions of quality and safety for students.

In a statement, the Office of the Ombudsman stated that the closure of universities and institutes affects the vocational training of thousands of young people, their competitiveness and emotional health, as well as the possibilities of academic and scientific production, an aspect inherent to the existence of universities.

“However, the Office of the Ombudsman considers that the current health situation requires that the reopening of universities and institutes and face-to-face education be effectively guaranteed, as this allows educational development with basic conditions of university quality, such as access to libraries, laboratories, development of practices, among others”, reads in the letter.

KEEP READING