CHED to create technical working group for college training guidelines

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will create a technical working group (TWG) for the drafting of collegiate training guidelines after practices were green-lighted by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Monday, September 7.

Headed by CHED Executive Director Cindy Jaro, the TWG, which will be composed of a “small group” of government officials and collegiate league representatives, will have a two- to three-week window to create the training guidelines.

“Based on CHED advisories, we always involve universities in crafting guidelines. Universities know that’s happening on the ground. All the advisories of CHED were done with consultation from the universities in crafting the guidelines,” said CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III.

CHED was initially not a member of the joint administrative order group tasked to handle sporting activities, which was initially limited to professional leagues like the PBA, Philippine Football League, and Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3.

But the agency was tapped after authorities started investigating illegal training sessions done by the UST Growling Tigers men’s basketball team and NU Lady Bulldogs women’s volleyball team.

CHED has since confirmed the allegations against both teams and submitted reports to the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Justice for possible sanctions.

CHED also asked help from the Philippine Sports Commission and the pro leagues to set best practices and protocols under the current community quarantine settings.

“They will talk about different sports and how they will convert these guidelines in holding training for specific sports disciplines. The IATF said all collegiate training, so this will include all types of sports,” De Vera said.

Until the guidelines are crafted and approved, the ban on collegiate training stays and only select pro leagues can continue practices under their own guidelines.

“For now, collegiate leagues are not allowed because they are under age restrictions and restrictions for types of sports activities. We will do this step by step,” De Vera said. – Rappler.com