 |
| "DepEd Tacloban Division empowers school principals to decide on face-to-face class suspensions due to extreme heat, with learning to continue at home. |
TACLOBAN CITY – In response to the city's intensifying heat wave, the Department of Education (DepEd) Tacloban Division has clarified that school principals will have the authority to suspend face-to-face classes in their respective schools. Dr. Nilo Eder, DepEd Tacloban Division Information Officer, confirmed this during the program Oras Han Tacloban.
This year, the country has experienced extreme temperatures, with readings reaching up to 37 °C (99 °F) and a heat index of 48 °C (118 °F) recorded in Butuan on April 21. This is the highest temperature recorded in the Philippines so far in 2023.
To address the rising temperatures and their potential impact on student health and safety, DepEd has issued guidelines via DepEd Order No. 37, s. 2022 and DepEd Memorandum No. 2023-077, rolled out in April of this year.
The directives entrust school principals, who are best positioned to assess the situation on the ground, with the decision to suspend face-to-face classes and return to a modular or blended learning scheme if necessary.
"No distraction of classes. An pag preside han aton mga classes will still continue. [There will be no disruption of classes. The presiding of our classes will continue]," Dr. Eder further clarified. He acknowledged reports of students fainting and collapsing in class due to the severe heat, assuring that even if face-to-face classes are suspended, at-home learning activities will continue for the students.
Dr. Eder also assured the public that the health of students and teachers is a top priority. He stated that healthcare professionals are making rounds in schools to ensure their safety, adding, "Although we do not have a nurse in every school, mayda kita mga gin-cluster nga mga schools diin ini nga mga clustered schools mayda magkikita kita nga mga nurses [Although we don't have a nurse in every school, we do have clustered schools where nurses are assigned to monitor]." —iTacloban (Source: CIO)