Schools may adopt distance learning to avoid summer heat, DepEd-6 says

By John Noel E. Herrera

The Department of Education (DepEd)-6 said all Schools Division Offices (SDOs) in Western Visayas can adopt other modes of education for students, like modular distance learning, due to extreme heat conditions in the region.

DepEd-6 regional director Dr. Ramir B. Uytico noted that school principals can decide to shift to any modality or make any adjustments to classes, as long as they have coordinated with the assigned Schools Division Superintendent.

“For example, kung sobrang init talaga, ang label natin, hindi na yan cancellation of classes, ang tawag dito is shift na to any modality na pwede. Main material na pwedeng gamitin in case na may ganito is self-learning modules and the principal can decide basta magpaalam sya sa Superintendent,” Uytico said.

“Learning should still take place kahit na ang kabataan natin ay nasa bahay. Ganoon lang ang gagawin natin,” he added.

Uytico said that pronouncements coming from Local Chief Executives (LCEs) would make the decision “more reliable”, and parents should be informed about the changes, as well as in cases where an emergency involving their children happened.

DepEd-6, on Thursday, April 20, 2023, released Regional Memorandum No. 282 s. 2023, reiterating the implementation of modular distance learning in cases of unfavorable weather and environmental conditions, “such as, but not limited to, extremely high temperatures which may considerably affect the conduct of classroom learning and put learners’ health and wellness at risk.”

The regional agency also acknowledged that there have already been recorded cases of headaches, dizziness, and other health emergencies brought by extreme heat in some schools in the region, especially in the province and city of Iloilo.

“Yan ang issue ngayon, marami talagang batang nagkakasakit,” DepEd Iloilo Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ma. Luz Delos Reyes said.

Delos Reyes stressed that there have been reported cases of headaches, dizziness, and asthma in some Iloilo schools, including in the towns of Sara and San Miguel.

“Schools have nurses (for these situations) but hindi talaga ma cover lahat. However, we also have trained clinic teachers who can give first aid to children. Those serious cases, dinadala sa hospital, pero those like nosebleed, parents are informed kasi di pa alam ano talaga yung cause,” she added.

With these cases, she noted that there were already some schools that conducted shorter or scheduled classes in Iloilo due to extreme heat that could affect the health of students and teachers.

“May nag-adopt ng emergency or scheduled mode of classes, like to shorten the period and focus na muna on major subjects involving numeracy, literacy, science,” she said.

There were also some teachers who opted to have classes in open and shaded areas, like under the trees, as some classrooms were no longer conducive for students, while some schools allow learners and personnel to wear comfortable clothes.

DepEd-Iloilo urged learners and personnel to follow the health reminders issued by the Department of Health (DOH) and other concerned agencies to prevent emergency situations from happening.

“As to protocols in handling emergency cases, rest assured that our clinic teachers, principals, they are trained in addressing the concerns of students,” Delos Reyes added.