This neasure aims to establish a framework when in-person classes and onsite work are suspended or is it safe to resume.
According to the Department of Education (DepEd), a series of national consultations with stakeholders on a proposed Executive Order (EO) has been led by the agency.
This is is regarding the proposals to update the guidelines on the suspension and resumption of classes, as well as work in schools and learning centers during emergencies.
The proposed policy will address various environmental conditions that affect classes and work, including extreme heat, volcanic smog, heavy rains, and earthquakes.
According to the DepEd, key stakeholders gathered in the consultation series to date include Schools Division Superintendents, Local Chief Executives (LCEs), and representatives from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE).
A multisectoral consultation has also brought together the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), local leagues, and other government representatives were also consulted.
The discussions focused on gathering local comments on implementation mechanisms and criteria for school-level decision-making.
Also tackled was a proposed one-hour response window for LGU approval of requests for granular suspension and resumption, and guidelines for the resumption of learning.
Under this system, there will be automatic class suspension and resumption based on technical thresholds by national agencies.
There is also an option for localized suspension and resumption declared by local chief executives (LCEs) and granular class suspension and resumption at the school level, which is then based on recorded or documented assessments in their respective locations.
Under the draft recommendations, classes and onsite work will be automatically suspended based on paramters such as heat index of 40 degrees Celsius or above, an official rain warning, and high air quality or volcanic smog hazards.
Meanwhile, in-person classes and onsite work will automatically resume once national agency warnings have been lifted or lifted and the required safety inspections have been conducted
For public schools in basic education, the Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) must concur with a granular suspension, while granular resumption following a localized suspension requires the concurrence of the Local Chief Executive (LCE).
As for private school, their respective leaders may declare granular suspension or resumption, but must promptly notify the relevant LCE.
Meanwhile, to preserve learning time, the proposed framework will also include flexible learning delivery modalities and self-learning resources when in-person classes cannot be safely delivered on-site.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that they are working with local leaders to build a “clear, balanced framework.”
“When extreme weather or hazards threaten our communities, keeping our learners and teachers safe will always be the top priority. At the same time, we must prevent unnecessary disruptions to education,” he said.
Angara also said that the proposed executive order also empowers local authorities and school heads to act swiftly during real emergencies, while also ensuring learning is able to continue safely.
“What we are building here with our stakeholders is a balanced, practical framework—one that trusts our local authorities to act fast when danger is at the doorstep, but also ensures that learning doesn’t simply ground to a halt the moment a weather advisory goes out,” he also stressed.
DepEd is set continue its consultations with teachers, parents, and students, with the results of the consultations to be compiled by DepEd will help formulae the final policy recommendations to be submitted to the Office of the President.
