All public schools hold distance learning today

MANILA, Philippines — Classes in all public schools nationwide have been moved today to asynchronous or distance learning mode to allow students to catch up with school work and other requirements impeded by class disruptions and the upcoming holidays, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced yesterday.

Teaching and non-teaching personnel should not be required to report to schools, the DepEd said in an advisory.

While private schools are not covered by the advisory, the agency said they have the option to implement the same measure.

This measure was issued to help students complete their schoolwork backlog since there would be no classes on April 9 and 10, Education Undersecretary Michael Poa said.

Onsite classes could resume by Thursday depending on whether the heat index would be mild enough for students to return to classrooms, he added.

Since Monday last week, onsite classes in public schools nationwide have been suspended due to extreme heat conditions experienced by students and teachers in classrooms.

Last Friday, the number of schools that suspended online classes climbed to 5,288, with over 3.6 million public school students affected.

The DepEd had since instructed schools to implement alternative delivery modes should the harsh heat render classroom instruction unbearable for students and teachers.