TESDA suspends face-to-face classes, conduct of competency assessment amid ECQ

March 29, 2021
Taguig City - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has suspended face-to-face classes in training centers and conduct of competency assessment in areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

This was after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) recommendation to place Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Rizal provinces under ECQ from March 29 to April 4.

TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña issued a memorandum ordering all TESDA Technology Institutions (TTIs) and Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) to suspend face-to-face classes in the said areas.

“This suspension shall also apply to all other areas which have been placed under community-wide lockdowns by their respective local government units in the municipality/city/provincial level,” he said.

Lapeña encouraged the affected TVIs and Assessment Centers (ACs) to shift to online and virtual modes in the conduct of training and assessment during this period.

In order to ensure the continuity of services, the following activities may be continued in the affected areas (1) Online application through TESDA Mobile App and TESDA website; (2) Online enrollment; (3) Asynchronous eLearning programs such as TESDA Online Program or other open-source online/offline training courses; and (4) Online Processing and issuance of National Certificates/ Certificates of Competencies (NCs/COCs) including Certification, Authentication, Verification (CAV) of NCs/COCs.

Meanwhile, Lapeña reminded all Regional and Provincial Offices to strictly enforce and monitor the compliance of all TESDA personnel and partner TVIs/ACs to the public health and safety protocols, reinforcement of contact tracing systems, and provision of isolation and quarantine facilities.

TESDA earlier allowed face-to-face training and assessment in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) subject to compliance to the minimum public health standards, training/health protocols, and coordination with LGUs. ###