By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division in Negros Occidental does not see any problems if schools return to blended learning amid the hot weather conditions.
DepEd-NegOcc spokesperson, Ian Arnold Arnaiz said all schools in the province have already gained experience of the blended learning system adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arnaiz said he is thankful that the province had yet to record COVID-19 cases among students during face-to-face classes.
He also affirmed that the schools division had already released its guidelines on hot weather conditions.
Anthony Liobet, DepEd-NegOcc schools division superintendent issued related guidelines to schools and offices on Monday, April 24.
“All schools are directed to put in place the necessary precautions to minimize or mitigate the effects of hot weather,” Liobet said in Division Memorandum No. 325.
Schools have been directed to monitor daily heat advisories through the website of the state weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Outdoor school activities must be conducted before 9:00 a.m. and after 3:00 p.m., and they must schedule strenuous activities when the temperature is cooler.
Teaching staff are told to check their students and colleagues regularly, especially those with chronic illnesses such as asthma and hypertension.
Schools are also advised to store enough medicine and ice to be used during emergencies.
The guidelines also reiterated DepEd Order No. 37 of 2022 which states that “in case of canceled or suspended classes due to natural calamities and human-induced hazards, modular distance learning shall immediately be implemented to ensure learning continuity and competencies and objectives are met.”
The local division also included DepEd Order No. 1 of 2003, of which “in the event that the school or classrooms are no longer favorable for classes due to extremely hot temperatures, the school head has the discretion to cancel or suspend classes as long as he or she shall report such action immediately to the schools division superintendent.”
Earlier this week, several schools in Negros Occidental’s Cadiz City reportedly switched to blended learning after several students fell ill due to high temperatures inside the classrooms.
Teachers will conduct face-to-face classes in the morning and they will switch to blended learning in the afternoon.
Arlene Bermejo, schools superintendent of DepEd-Division of Cadiz, said they have reports that several students have reportedly experienced dizziness and epistaxis or nosebleeds.
They are also required to open classroom windows for additional ventilation.
The education sector has joined calls to return to the previous April-May school break over the uncomfortable heat being experienced by students during in-person classes in Negros Occidental.
DepEd adopted the current August-to-July academic calendar during the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020./DGB, WDJ