The Quezon City Schools Division Office (SDO) will adjust its learning modality starting Wednesday due to the persistently high heat index affecting public school students, according to Mayor Joy Belmonte.
Belmonte said the adjustment was due to a heat index of 40 degrees Celsius or above forecast in the coming days, citing SDO Quezon City’s Division Memorandum 511 issued by Schools Division Superintendent Carleen Sedilla.
The mayor explained classes will shift to limited face-to-face classes whenever the forecast temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius or higher.
“This will give public school students ample time to complete their essential year-end activities like performance tasks and final examinations, especially now that classes are winding down,” Belmonte said.
Meanwhile, school administrators and principals will devise a schedule for the students. This will depend on the capacity of the classrooms and schools.
Belmonte, however, reiterated that classes will shift to full face-to-face classes if the temperature is 39 degrees and below.
“In case there’s a declaration of suspension by the Department of Education or the national government, we will implement asynchronous/synchronous mode,” she said.
Sedilla in her order said parents should make the final decision on whether to allow their kids to go to school.
“If a child has a health condition or if the parents think that sending the kid to school poses health risks, the school should be informed,” Sedilla said.
“The school will then decide on the modality that best suits the learner, as the child should be given utmost consideration and necessary assistance,” she added.