DepEd activates emergency measures
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) activated its emergency learning measures yesterday amid class suspensions in Metro Manila and several provinces due to the impact of the southwest monsoon.
DepEd reminded schools and field offices to implement the education in emergencies framework to protect learners, teachers and school personnel.
The Office of the President issued Memorandum Circular 123, which directed alternative learning modes in affected areas yesterday.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the policy is designed to help schools respond to disruptions in a way that protects learners and teachers, while keeping learning possible when conditions allow.
“When there is heavy rain, the roads are flooded or there is a risk to the safety of learners and teachers, the decision cannot be one-size-fits-all. The basis needs to be clear: is it safe, is it feasible and what kind of learning support is appropriate? That is the purpose of the 4H framework – to guide schools on when to continue, when to slow down, when to take a breath and when to stop,” Angara said.
DepEd said the current weather situation highlights the need for schools to use the 4H protocol: Hinto, Hinga, Hinay and Hayo, to guide decisions on learning delivery based on safety, learner readiness, available resources and local conditions.
Under the framework, Hinto is applied when conditions are unsafe or when learners’ safety, protection or basic needs are at risk. At this level, academic activities are temporarily stopped so schools and communities can prioritize safety, emergency response and essential support.
Hinga is used when learners, teachers and school personnel need time to recover from stress, disruption or displacement. Schools may conduct well-being checks, psychosocial support and light asynchronous activities, but submissions and regular academic requirements should not be required.
Hinay, or the yellow level, applies when there is disruption, but learning can continue in an adjusted and teacher-supervised manner, either through synchronous or asynchronous modalities depending on available resources, connectivity and local conditions.
Lastly, Hayo is activated once conditions have returned to normal and regular learning can safely resume.
DepEd emphasized that in areas where local governments or schools have shifted to asynchronous or alternative learning modes due to the current rains, these arrangements may be treated as Hinay, provided that learners and teachers are safe and learning requirements are adjusted to the situation.
DepEd said learning continuity during emergencies does not mean forcing regular academic work during unsafe or highly stressful conditions, adding that schools must calibrate learning based on actual risk, available access and the well-being of learners and personnel.
It directed schools to coordinate with local government units, disaster risk reduction and management offices and field offices in determining the appropriate learning continuity level.
DepEd also tasked schools to update their learning and service continuity plans, maintain emergency communication channels with learners and parents and ensure that academic requirements remain reasonable during weather-related disruptions.
10,678 schools suspend classes
DepEd said at least 6.8 million learners in 10,678 public schools in eight regions were affected by class suspensions.
In its report yesterday, DepEd said at least 387 class rooms in 10 schools are being used as evacuation centers, providing temporary shelter to 2,065 families.
The DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) said the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and Tropical Storm Maymay destroyed 917 class rooms; 1,003 classrooms suffered major damage and 2,872 classrooms had minor damage.
At least 858 schools in Metro Manila, Regions 1, 3, 4-A, 4-B, 8, Cordillera Administrative Region and Negros Island Region incurred damage.
The DepEd DRRMS added that also damaged were 6,970 chairs, 404 equipment units and 7,465 learning materials.
It said the department has initiated the processing of P24.5 million for clean-up and clearing operation of the affected schools.
DepEd added that at least P140.7 million was allocated for the repair of classrooms with minor damage.
Meanwhile, in Abra, classes in all levels in public and private schools are suspended today as a precautionary measure amid prevailing weather conditions, the provincial government announced.
Work in all government offices across the province will likewise be suspended.
Private establishments in the province may decide whether to suspend work, with the decision left to their respective employers. — Artemio Dumlao
- Latest
- Trending