MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara has called for a review of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) policy on class suspensions during typhoons. The review aims to strike a balance between ensuring the safety of students and teachers and reducing the number of lost school days.
In an interview with Radyo Singko 92.3 News FM, Education Undersecretary for Governance and Field Operations Revsee Escobedo stated that Angara ordered the review to be conducted “immediately” after several class suspensions were triggered by six tropical cyclones from late October to November.
“His instruction was that by next week, we should report our draft amendments to DO (DepEd Order) 37 (s. 2022),” Escobedo said, referring to the current policy governing class suspensions.
DepEd Order No. 37 allows local chief executives to suspend classes during typhoons, heavy rainfall, and flooding, with schools required to follow local government decisions. The order also mandates the automatic cancellation of in-person and online classes, as well as work, for Kindergarten to Grade 12 and the Alternative Learning System in areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) 1 to 5, as declared by PAGASA.
In instances where strong winds or flooding occur without a PAGASA-issued TCWS or flood warning, local chief executives decide whether to suspend classes. While public schools must comply with DO 37, private schools, community learning centers, and state and local universities and colleges may opt out of the directive.
Escobedo acknowledged that the current policy might no longer adequately address the realities on the ground.
“The automatic suspension on areas under Signal No. 1 has a drastic effect on classes, with school days being lost even if there is fair weather in the area,” he explained.
DepEd plans to collaborate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and PAGASA to revise DO 37.
“What Secretary Angara wants is to have a balance between prioritizing the safety and welfare of our teachers and learners, but on the other hand, ensure that the class suspensions are reasonable and would not further exacerbate the learning crisis that we are currently in,” Escobedo said.
DepEd data reveals that since the start of the school year in July, up to 36 learning days have been lost nationwide due to typhoons and other natural calamities. To address this, the department is considering make-up classes, extended daily class hours, and shorter academic breaks.
“Some regional directors, especially in Region 5, Region 6 and CAR, have already committed to conduct make-up classes on Saturdays. Other schools said they would allot additional time. For example, in Kinder, the four hours (of classes) a day will be five hours a day to compensate for the lost days,” Escobedo noted.
“Other regional directors said their academic break on Nov. 25 to 29 will instead be used for make-up classes,” he added.
Additionally, Angara has directed DepEd units to enhance the agency’s dynamic learning program, focusing on alternative ways to deliver lessons to students.
