DepEd expands school heads’ power to suspend classes amid emergencies
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education now requires schools to have detailed plans ready for continuing education during any type of disruption — whether from typhoons, floods, extreme heat, or poor air quality.
Under DepEd's new guidelines for class suspensions — released through Department Order No. 22 on December 23 — all schools must draft a learning continuity plan that will make the switch to distance learning and even the safekeeping of learning resources "pre-planned and ready to be implemented when disasters strike."
The new policy, which replaces DepEd's 2022 guidelines, also grants school heads greater authority to suspend classes based on localized conditions such as severe weather, flooding, power outages, or other emergencies that pose risks to students and staff.
DepEd's new guidelines for class suspensions come after a punishing year for schools in the Philippines. Last April, hundreds of campuses had to suspend in-person classes when heat indices hit dangerous levels of up to 43 degrees Celsius. Months later, six typhoons struck the country within just 30 days, forcing extended class disruptions across multiple provinces in Luzon.
More paperwork. According to the DepEd order, all schools must have a "Learning and Service Continuity Plan" for the following actions during disasters or emergencies:
- Identification of suitable alternative delivery modes for different ypes of disasters, based on local needs
- Provision of learning resources, including printed materials, and "access points" where students can get them
- Storage of school equipment and devices
- Mobilizing teachers, school personnel and school heads in implementing alternative delivery modes during disasters
- Conducting make-up classes
Schools must also now submit quarterly reports detailing "the types of class suspensions, the circumstances therein, and [alternative delivery modes] utilized during class suspensions." The order requires schools to prepare their learning continuity plan alongside their school improvement plan, which must be "reviewed and updated annually at the start of the school year."
What's new for students & teachers
DepEd's new guidelines now specifically mention online learning as an alternative delivery mode during class suspensions. The previous guidelines only specified "modular distance learning, performance tasks, projects or make up classes" to ensure competencies are still met.
"In the event of suspended face-to-face classes, schools shall implement modular distance learning, online distance learning, or blended learning, where feasible," the DepEd order stated.
DepEd said that for schools where online classes are possible, school heads may "adjust class schedules to accommodate internet connectivity issues." It said schools should also provide guidance on accessing digital resources.
Similar to previous guidelines, DepEd requires schools to give students who miss learning activities due to disasters and calamities ample time to complete their tasks.
Extreme heat, poor air quality now reasons for suspensions
DepEd's new guidelines added extreme heat and poor air quality (volcanic fog) as an official ground for class and work suspension, alongside typhoons, heavy rainfall, power outages and earthquakes.
While temperature spikes will not automatically trigger the suspension of classes and work, local chief executives may facilitate localized suspensions "based on the situation in their localities, according to the DepEd order.
Meanwhile, suspensions for low air quality or vog (volcanic fog) depend on the air quality reported by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' environment management bureau. This is based on their official air quality index called the Particle Matter 2.5 Air Quality Index.
Under the "acutely unhealthy" or "purple" air quality, where the particle matter 2.5 ranges between 55.1 to 90, local chief executives shall decide on the suspension of classes.
DepEd added that school division superintendents can coordinate with local government units for school suspensions as long as the schools will implement distance learning.
Under the "emergency" or "maroon" air quality, where the particle matter has gone above 91, class and work shall be automatically suspended.
For typhoons, automatic class suspensions remain tied to PAGASA's warning signals. Under Signal No. 2, face-to-face classes for Kindergarten and Elementary to Junior High School or Grade 10 in the affected area shall be automatically suspended, with schools required to shift to alternative learning modes. Meanwhile, classes and work in all levels will be suspended under Signal No. 3.
School heads' new power: Class suspension
DepEd has also expanded the authority of school heads to impose class and work suspensions based on their community's circumstances.
In case the local government does not automatically suspend classes, school heads and district or division Alternative Learning System coordinators may suspend classes and work based on the following scenarios:
- Torrential rain, flooding and risk of landslides and storm surges
- Localized and specific flooding in the area of the school or when flooding affects a large part of student and personnel population
- Earthquakes, and the possibility of structural collapse within the school
- Power outages that last more than half a school day, making classrooms uncomfortable for students and teachers
- Temperatures are not conducive to learning
- Other calamities that "threaten the safety of students and school personnel"
According to the DepEd order, these can be done as long as they make the "necessary coordination" with the local government and the school district superintendent. When applicable, schools must also shift to modular distance learning or make-up classes based on their learning continuity plan.
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