ON BEHALF of school children and their parents, we are grateful that schools in some areas, given the unabating constant high heat index in the 40s, have suspended classes, at least before the weekend.
Schools, both private and public, in these areas have been advised by the Department of Education or DepEd to shift to asynchronous classes or alternative delivery modes in cases of extreme heat and other calamities that may compromise the health and safety of learners, teachers and non-teaching personnel– with private schools not identified given the discretion to suspend in-person classes.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA has projected a heat index of 46 degrees C over Metro Manila, Dagupan City in Pangasinan, and Sangley Point in Cavite before the weekend.
Based on its computed two-day forecast, PAGASA said Filipinos across 33 locations will continue to feel extreme heat measured at 42 to 45 degrees C..
These include parts of La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Bataan, Quezon Province, Batangas, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Albay, Catanduanes, Masbate, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Iloilo, Eastern and Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Agusan del Norte.
The months of March, April and May are typically the hottest and driest in this archipelago near the equator of 114 million population, but conditions this year have been exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon.
In light of the high heat index experienced in different parts of the country this month, DepEd has reiterated the provisions of Department Order 037 issued in 2022, which provides guidelines on the cancellation or suspension of classes and work in schools in the event of natural disasters, power outages/power interruptions, and other calamities.
While we applaud the quick reaction of DepEd, we are disconcerted that there are schools that have not suspended classes despite the stridently heinous heat of from 36 degrees C to the 40s.
We are aware that graders have been prohibited from going out during recess and play in the sun as they were allowed previously, with at least one second grader suffering epistaxis or nosebleed before class dismissal.
But a sensible step would have been to suspend the physical attendance in school and shift, as advised by higher education authorities, to alternative delivery modes.
It is not enough that we ensure the students are well hydrated and advise them to wear loose fitting summer clothing to prevent heat fatigue and allow them regularly scheduled rest periods in the classrooms while staying in cool areas.