High heat index; Extreme heat prompts class suspension in over 200 NegOcc schools  

Posted by watchmen
March 12, 2024
Posted in HEADLINE

 

The Department of Education instructed local school officials to conduct alternative delivery modes of learning amid the suspension of in-person classes due to extreme heat. (thepost.net.ph / File photo)
The Department of Education instructed local school officials to conduct alternative delivery modes of learning amid the suspension of in-person classes due to extreme heat. (thepost.net.ph / File photo)

By Jen Baylon

More than 200 public and private schools in Negros Occidental have suspended face-to-face classes for two days due to the scorching heat.

Hernani Escullar Jr., Department of Education (DepEd) in Western Visayas information officer, said more than 200 schools in some Schools Division Offices (SDOs) in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, have declared the suspension of classes yesterday until Tuesday, March 12.

Several local government units (LGUs), including the cities of Talisay, Bago, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, and Silay, as well as the municipalities of Murcia, E.B. Magalona, Hinoba-an, La Castellana, and Isabela, have suspended face-to-face classes due to the high heat index, as reported by the state weather bureau the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Escullar said several schools have shifted to alternative delivery modes to ensure that the students’ learning is not disrupted by the extreme weather conditions.

He added that the suspension of classes depends on the LGUs, stating that school officials should coordinate with their SDOs to determine the best strategies to ensure students could catch up with their lessons amid the suspensions.

Meanwhile, Ian Arnaiz, DepEd-Division of Negros Occidental spokesperson, said that the school head has the authority to suspend classes and choose the mode of learning to be implemented.

Arnaiz also confirmed reports of some students experiencing nosebleeds and fainting due to the heat.

He clarified that the incidents were not alarming as they were isolated cases.

On Sunday night, March 10, Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez announced the suspension of face-to-face classes in elementary and secondary levels from yesterday until Tuesday, in the city, due to the high heat index.

“The decision for the tertiary level is at the discretion of their respective colleges or university administrators,” Benitez said.

Several universities and colleges that announced a shift to online classes include Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, Bacolod City College, and Carlos Hilado Memorial State University.

Bacolod Tay Tung High School, Trinity Christian School and St. John’s Institute will also conduct online classes.

Pagasa said the heat index in Negros Occidental reached 41 degrees Celsius yesterday, and 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

The heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, represents how the heat is actually felt in the human body, when relative humidity is combined with air temperature./JB, WDJ

 

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