Benedict Maravilla

The Department of Education (DepEd) released the revised guidelines for the suspension of classes and work in schools during disasters and emergencies.

Photo Courtesy of DepEd/Philippine Star.

In the memorandum containing DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2024 released on Dec. 23, DepEd emphasized the importance of keeping the safety of learners and personnel, as well as maintaining uninterrupted learning even during calamities.

“To balance these priorities, this policy emphasized both the safety and academic continuity needed by learners and personnel,” the memorandum read.

DepEd named eight possible reasons for the suspension of classes and/or work, an extended scope from the four emergency situations listed in the agency’s previous guidelines in 2022.

The possible reasons which were cited in the memorandum are as follows:
  • Typhoons and Tropical Cyclones
  • Heavy Rainfall and Flood
  • Earthquakes
  • Power Outages
  • Extreme Heat Condition
  • Low Air Quality/ Vog (Volcanic Fog)
  • Localized/Granular Suspensions
  • Other Emergencies and Hazards (not enumerated that may threaten safety)

As per the new guidelines, only classes for kindergarten during Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) 1 are automatically suspended, while classes for grade levels above the said until junior high school students are automatically suspended under TCWS 2. Meanwhile, classes and work in all levels are only suspended under TCWS 3 or above.

In the presence of heavy rainfall and flood, cancellation of classes will take place during orange or red rainfall warning and critical level of flooding.

During earthquakes, an intensity of VI (six) and above will indicate the automatic suspension of classes and work; school buildings are also required to be assessed by engineers before the resumption is pushed through.

No automatic suspension of classes will be imposed in the event of power outages, interruptions, or brownouts.

In times of low air quality or vog, classes are automatically suspended under emergency air quality index level.

During extreme heat conditions, the decision on the suspension of classes will be left on the discretion of the division and school authorities.

Moreover, according to DepEd, shifting to alternative learning delivery modes during disasters are only going to be administered if feasible and shall be decided upon by school heads.

Make-up classes, on the other hand, will be conducted if the number of actual school days did not reach the 180-day minimum required by DepEd in its calendar. It shall be given during extended hours or on Saturdays.