Class suspensions go local under new Marcos directive

National

CLASS suspensions will no longer have to follow a one-size-fits-all approach, as a new executive order issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allows schools and local governments to make decisions based on risks and conditions in their respective areas.

Under Executive Order 130, schools may suspend or resume in-person classes, activities and onsite work based on localized assessments, with the policy seeking to protect learners and personnel while ensuring learning continuity.

The order establishes three suspension mechanisms: automatic suspension triggered by official warnings and technical thresholds; localized suspension declared by local chief executives based on prevailing conditions; and granular suspension imposed by schools following site-specific assessments.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said the measure gives local government units (LGUs) greater flexibility in determining which areas and schools should suspend classes based on actual conditions. She said the policy seeks to balance student safety with the need to minimize learning disruptions.

“Each school day suspended is a huge loss. The goal of the new EO is to ensure the safety of students while continuing their learning,” Castro said in a Philstar report.

Automatic suspensions will take effect when warranted by official warnings, advisories, alert levels and forecasts from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or other competent government agencies.

In the absence of an automatic suspension, local chief executives may order class cancellations based on documented risk assessments. Schools may also impose suspensions when no national or local directive applies and site-specific assessments establish an actual or imminent threat to learners and personnel.

Classes and onsite work may resume once the suspension period ends or the applicable warning or declaration is lifted, downgraded or has ceased, provided necessary safety inspections are completed. Earlier resumption in areas under localized suspensions requires the concurrence of the concerned local chief executive.

Suspending face-to-face classes will not automatically stop learning, as schools must implement alternative delivery modes and other continuity measures.

The Department of Education (DepEd) welcomed the policy, saying it provides more flexible and responsive guidelines. It also thanked government agencies, school officials, teachers, LGUs and other stakeholders for their participation in developing the measure.

The department is expected to issue implementing guidelines within 30 days, covering technical thresholds, suspension criteria, documentary requirements and coordination procedures.

The policy comes as Pagasa reported heat index forecasts reaching 44 degrees Celsius in Borongan, Eastern Samar. Six areas were forecast to reach 43 degrees, while four others were expected to register 42 degrees.

Heat indices of 42 to 51 degrees fall under the danger category, where prolonged exposure may cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

The weather bureau also warned that 12 areas could experience drought by the end of November as El Niño persists, while 57 may face dry spells and 11 dry conditions.(MyTVCebu)