Schools may suspend face-to-face classes and shift to modular distance learning due to extreme heat and power outages experienced in several parts of the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) reminded school heads on Sunday.
DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa showed a copy of a memo issued to public and private school heads dated April 20, reminding them of their authority and responsibility to suspend in-person classes and switch to alternative delivery modes (ADM) “in cases of unfavorable weather and environment such as, but not limited to, extremely high temperatures which may considerably affect the conduct of classroom learning and put the learners’ health and wellbeing at risk.”
“Iba-iba po kasi ang situation ng ating mga paaralan. Kaya school heads po ang magde-determine. Ayaw rin po nating makaapekto sa kalusugan ng ating mga learners ang napakainit na panahon, kaya po pinaalalahan natin ang mga school heads na maaari silang mag-switch agad sa ADMs,” Poa told reporters on Saturday.
(Schools have different situations. Thus, school heads should determine what learning mode is best for them. We are concerned about the effect of hot weather on learners’ health. So we remind the school heads that they can immediately switch to ADMs.)
On Thursday, the heat index was at 43°C in Dagupan in Pangasinan and at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.