Schools advised to adjust class schedules amid intense heat

Public schools affected by intense heat should adjust class schedules or adopt remote learning measures, the Department of Education said yesterday.

- NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

The DepEd rejected proposals for automatic class suspensions when the state weather bureau projects dangerous heat levels as this was beyond existing policies. Instead, schools will follow the mandate of local chief executives to suspend classes in such scenarios.

If suspensions occur, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said schools would shift to alternative learning performance-based tasks or make-up classes to ensure that learning competencies are still met.

"In case there is no automatic suspension of classes and in the absence of a declaration from the LGU, DepEd's policy also allows school heads and ALS coordinators to suspend in-person classes if excessive heat poses health risks to students and teachers,” Angara said.

Offices and schools are instructed to prepare and use self-learning modules and Dynamic Learning Program tools in case of shift to alternative delivery mode or ADM.

Angara said schools have been advised to conduct morning sessions from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and allow asynchronous sessions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Afternoon classes may be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

He added that additional rest and hydration breaks should be implemented, especially in non airconditioned classrooms.

“We are deeply concerned about our learners’ and teachers’ safety. We are closely coordinating with our field offices to assess the situation in schools and determine the best course of action given the extreme heat,” Angara said.