Senator Pia Cayetano has cautioned the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) against fully transitioning colleges and universities to online learning, warning that prolonged reliance on virtual classes could deepen existing learning gaps among students.
The warning came after CHED issued Memorandum No. 117, s. 2026, allowing higher education institutions (HEIs) to temporarily adopt 100 percent online classes following the declaration of a national energy emergency.
Laboratory and skill-based courses, however, remain required to be conducted onsite or through alternative methods.
Cayetano acknowledged the need for flexibility amid the global fuel and power crisis linked to Middle East tensions but urged caution in crafting education policies.
“Families are experiencing difficulties because of the ongoing global fuel and power crisis. These are not easy times, and government agencies, including our education institutions, are being asked to adapt quickly,” she said.
“CHED’s move to allow schools to shift to 100% online classes is clearly intended as a temporary solution to ensure learning continuity while supporting energy conservation efforts,” she added.
Drawing from her experience as Senior Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and as a former EDCOM II commissioner, Cayetano warned that extended use of fully online learning could worsen inequalities.
“We cannot ignore the risk that prolonged or widespread reliance on fully online modalities may further widen existing learning gaps, especially for students who may not have equal access to technology, stable connectivity, or a conducive learning environment at home,” she said.
She also cautioned against turning emergency measures into long-term practices, recalling how pandemic-era setups lingered longer than expected.
“Moreover, there is a real concern that what is intended as a temporary measure may gradually become normalized. We saw this emerge after the pandemic… We must be vigilant to ensure that this does not happen again,” Cayetano said.
The senator emphasized that in-person learning remains essential not only for academic performance but also for discipline, engagement, and overall development.
“This is why we must carefully balance the need to respond to the crisis with our responsibility to protect our students’ learning experience,” she said, urging CHED and HEIs to set clear limits.
“I urge CHED and all HEIs to establish concrete benchmarks, including measurable learning outcome indicators and a defined review timeline, so that this policy remains a genuine emergency measure and does not quietly become the new standard,” she added.