HOT ISSUE | Schools can suspend in-person classes amid extreme heat, says DepEd

April 24, 2023 , 12:10 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(April 24, 2023) – Citing the well-being of students, the Department of Education (DepEd) said school administrators can suspend in-person classes due to “extremely high temperatures” during the dry season.

In a memorandum, the DepEd, headed by Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, reiterated an earlier order that provides guidelines on the suspension of face-to-face classes in the event of natural disasters and other calamities.

“(DepEd) reminds school heads of their authority and responsibility to suspend in-person classes and implement modular distance learning in cases of unfavorable weather and environment, such as, but not limited to, extremely high temperatures,” read Memorandum No. 2023-077 signed on April 20.

Some organizations have continued to lobby for the return of the old academic calendar so the students can take a break from April to May and avoid the sweltering heat. The proposals are still under review, according to DepEd.

Last week, around 145 students in Occidental Mindoro were affected by the extreme heat, a situation compounded by the lack of electricity. A local education official assured that the students were immediately given emergency aid.

Last month, more than a hundred students in Laguna were hospitalized when they passed out after a fire drill.

If school authorities decide to suspend in-person classes, the DepEd said they can opt for modular learning. Division superintendents must then continue monitoring the remote setup and report to their respective regional directors.

“Situations in our schools vary, that’s why we are giving the school heads the discretion or the authority to determine the appropriate action,” said DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa.

Benjo Basas, the head of the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition, said the DepEd should have been more specific so that school officials won’t be adamant about suspending physical classes. Instead of leaving things to the discretion of each school, he said it might be better to pass the responsibility to the division offices.

“Kadalasan ay iisa lang naman ang temperature sa buong dibisyon kaya mas mabuting magdeklara ang superintendent ng dibisyon alinsunod sa konsultasyon sa school heads at mga guro,” suggested Basas.

He also floated the idea of reducing class hours to ensure that face-to-face classes can complement the use of modules, noting that a remote setup has proven to be “not effective” during the COVID-19 crisis.

In his example, he said the morning session can be conducted from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. while the afternoon session can take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for more manageable temperatures.

On the side of teachers, Basas expressed hope that they will be allowed to wear comfortable clothing instead of official uniforms amid the terrible heat.

“Ang pangmatagalang solusyon ay ang pagpapaliit ng bilang ng mag-aaral kada klase para maiwasan ang siksikan, pagpapatayo ng mas maraming classrooms, hiring ng mas maraming guro, at pagbibigay ng maayos na bentilasyon,” said Basas.

(PM)

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