The Department of Education (DepEd) has reminded all private and public school heads that they can suspend face-to-person classes and implement modular distance learning amid the extreme heat and threats of power outages during this Summer season.
Under DepEd Memorandum Order dated April 20, the education department reiterated its previous DepEd Order No. 01 s. 2003 which stated that heads of both private and public schools have the authority to suspend or cancel classes "in cases of unfavorable weather and environment."
The unfavorable weather and environmental condition include extremely high temperatures "which may considerably affect the conduct of classroom learning and put the learners' health and wellbeing at risk."
"School Division Offices, through the Schools Division Superintendent, shall monitor schools implementing the said modality and shall submit a report on the aforementioned to the Regional Director," it said.
In the same memo order, DepEd also reminded private and public schools that in-person classes can likewise be suspended in cases of "natural disasters, calamities, and human-induced hazards to ensure learning continuity and that learning competencies and objectives are met."
According to the latest forecast from the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Munoz, Nueva Ecija may hit the highest heat index of 56 degrees Celsius and 50 degrees Celsius in Cabanatuan in the Month of May.
The highest computed heat index was recorded in Legazpi City, Albay at 46 degrees Celsius at around 2 pm on Sunday, April 23.
