Following the resumption of classes after the Lenten break, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian urged school principals to implement blended learning amid parents’ concerns about the threats of pertussis or whooping cough and hot weather.
“We want to remind our principals that if there is a threat to the safety of our students, we can implement blended learning in schools amid fears of pertussis and hotter weather,” noted the senator.
“We can continue their studies and give priority to their needs and protection,” he added.
Speaking as chairperson of the Senate committee on basic education, Gatchalian said at least six local governments in Western Visayas already suspended classes on April 1 due to the rise in temperature. Iloilo City alone suspended classes for April 1 and 2 from pre-school to senior high school.
To ensure that learning competencies and objectives are still met, Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 037 s. 2022 provides that modular distance learning, performance tasks, projects, or make-up classes shall be implemented in the event of canceled or suspended classes.
After consultations with stakeholders, including teachers and learners, the DepEd moved the end of school year 2023-2024 from June 14 to May 31. Gatchalian, who called for the gradual return to the old school calendar, supported the move.
The senator recalled a finding of state weather agency PAGASA, which pointed out that while the current school calendar coincides with fewer days of extreme rainfall and less cancelation of classes due to tropical cyclones, there are also more school days with extremely hot temperatures.
Meanwhile, pertussis outbreaks were also previously declared in Quezon City and Iloilo City. The provincial government of Cavite also followed suit days later.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported at least 40 deaths last March 27 due to pertussis cases recorded from January 1 to March 16.
Gatchalian also called on principals to implement health and safety measures in schools, including the promotion of good respiratory hygiene and proper and regular handwashing, to protect learners from pertussis.