Two public high schools in Bacolod City have shortened class hours to combat the effects of hot weather conditions during face-to-face classes.

At the Negros Occidental High School (NOHS), Grade 11 learners will have classes from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, compared to the previous schedule until 2:40 p.m., while Grade 12 students will attend classes from 1:00 p.m. to 5:10 p.m., which ends an hour earlier.

Junior high school students will now attend classes from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. only.

Those learners under special programs will have classes until 12:00 noon.

The previous schedule showed classes were held until afternoon.

Donna Aposaga, assistant principal for senior high school students, said some of their learners have fallen ill due to heat.

“We advise them to bring drinking water and not to stay long under the sun,” Aposaga said.

NOHS has more than 9,000 students.

The students are allowed to wear Physical Education uniforms or t-shirts and school pants for males, and shirts and skirts for females.

They can wear any outfit which will also adhere to the dress code set by the school.

Meanwhile, at the Bacolod City National High School, class hours will start at 6:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., which started last Wednesday, April 26.

Based on an announcement posted by the school’s student government, no classes have been scheduled for the afternoon session.

Earlier, several schools in Negros Occidental’s Cadiz City also 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.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) in Negros Occidental schools division superintendent Anthony Liobet issued guidelines on hot weather conditions to schools and offices earlier this week.

“All schools are directed to put in place the necessary precautions to minimize or mitigate the effects of hot weather,” the memorandum said.

Under the guidelines, outdoor school activities must be conducted before 9:00 a.m. and after 3:00 p.m.

Schools also must schedule strenuous activities when the temperature is cooler.

The memorandum also reiterated DepEd Order No. 37 of 2022 stating 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,” and DepEd Order No. 1 of 2003, which states “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.”/With a report from PNA / WDJ