5,844 schools suspend onsite classes due to extreme heat

MANILA, Philippines —  Of 47,678 public schools nationwide, 5,844 suspended onsite classes yesterday due to extreme heat aggravated by the El Niño phenomenon.

Based on data released by the Department of Education (DepEd), all regions in the country except for Caraga (Region 13) have recorded class suspensions as of yesterday, with schools opting to shift to alternative delivery mode (ADM) of learning such as online classes and use of modules.

Central Luzon has the highest record of schools suspending onsite classes at 1,124, followed by Central Visayas, 792; Soccsksargen, 678; Bicol region, 634 schools; Zamboanga peninsula, 610; and Western Visayas, 536.

In Metro Manila, 306 schools have suspended their onsite classes and switched to ADM.

Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao region and the Cordillera Administrative Region have around 1,300 schools that suspended their onsite classes and switched to ADM.

The DepEd has yet to release the figure on the number of students affected by class suspensions.

Yesterday’s data was the highest since schools nationwide started switching to alternative modes of delivering lessons due to extreme heat.

On Friday last week, 5,288 schools suspended onsite classes, with 3.6 million students affected.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) earlier warned the heat index being felt across the country is expected to increase further and reach a dangerous level in May.

Despite this, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said the DepEd cannot immediately revert to the old academic calendar as it would sacrifice the vacation of teachers, students and school personnel.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) earlier said that returning to the old school calendar — wherein classes run from June to March and vacation starts in April and May — seems doable this upcoming school year 2024-2025, without sacrificing the vacation.

On Wednesday, President Marcos said his administration is open to expediting the return to the old school calendar.

In a statement, the DepEd said it will seek clarification from the President