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In a photo taken on March 21, students in class sit in front of fans at an elementary school at Baseco in Manila. Last year, heatwaves forced millions of children in the Philippines out of school. It was the first time that soaring temperatures had caused widespread class suspensions, prompting a series of changes.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is considering the implementation of makeup classes to mitigate learning loss following the widespread suspension of classes due to flooding spawned by the southwest monsoon, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said yesterday.
“There must be makeup classes as the learning loss is really high. Our learners are affected when there are many cancellations (of classes),” said Angara.
The DepEd is still finalizing the structure of the proposed makeup classes, which may be held on Saturdays or after regular class hours, depending on teachers’ availability.
The education chief also noted that student proficiency remains low amid the country’s ongoing learning crisis.
“It’s quite significant, especially Literacy and Math, so we are addressing these through the ARAL program. The personalized tutorials are very effective so that children who need assistance will be given focus,” he noted.
Set to roll out this school year, the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program, mandated under Republic Act 120028, aims to provide free, targeted tutorials for the three million students struggling with functional literacy.
As for the class suspensions, Angara said that the decision should be left to the local government units (LGUs).
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), however, clarified that Angara has also the discretion to suspend classes during adverse weather conditions, alongside LGUs.
While Angara maintained that LGUs should retain the authority to issue suspension orders based on real-time local conditions, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla emphasized that both the DepEd and LGUs can still issue independent suspension announcements.
For instance, Laguna Gov. Sol Aragones suspended classes across the province despite it not being on Remulla’s initial list.
Malacañang has recently authorized Secretary Remulla to announce class and government work suspensions in Metro Manila and other areas hit by monsoon rains.
As the vice chairman for disaster preparedness of the NDRRMC, Remulla commits to issue timely advisories on behalf of the national government, preferably the night before, consistent with his approach during his tenure as Cavite governor.
The DILG urged the public to stay vigilant and heed official advisories during weather disturbances.
Class suspensions
Meanwhile, due to the ongoing effects of the southwest monsoon, local government units in Parañaque and Navotas have declared class suspensions for today, July 23.
Upon the recommendation of the Parañaque City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Mayor Edwin Olivares suspended classes in all levels, both public and private. He also advised residents to remain alert as heavy rains continue to affect the area.
Mayor John Rey Tiangco, on the other hand, announced that face-to-face classes will remain suspended in all levels, from preschool to college, in both public and private schools.
