DepEd Cebu tells schools to prepare learning materials amid air quality concerns

Local

THE Department of Education (DepEd) in Cebu province has directed public schools to prepare and distribute learning materials in advance to ensure that classes can continue at home should deteriorating air quality force another round of in-person class suspensions.

The directive is part of Project HELPS, or Helping Every Learner Progress and Succeed, an initiative designed to minimize learning losses caused by class suspensions.

It was officially revealed during a Capitol-led open forum on air quality and class suspensions on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

"My instruction is: These activity sheets should be already printed," said Dr. Senen Priscillo Paulin, schools superintendent of DepEd-Cebu province.

He explained that schools could use their maintenance and other operating expenses funds to print the materials, which should be placed in plastic containers and distributed to learners for safekeeping.

Likewise, the activity sheets, developed by master teachers and subject experts, have undergone quality assurance and are available for download through the division's website.

Paulin acknowledged that Project HELPS remains in its initial implementation stage but expressed optimism that it would help schools maintain learning continuity during emergencies.

The initiative comes amid renewed concerns over air pollution in Metro Cebu, which recently prompted local governments to suspend face-to-face classes to protect students from potentially harmful exposure.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau, the region's Air Quality Index reached 107 on Oct. 17, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.

EMB officials attributed the poor air quality primarily to localized emissions from motor vehicles, industrial operations and other activities, compounded by weak winds and unfavorable weather conditions.

Air quality, for this week, has since improved.

Localized suspensions

Meanwhile, DepEd Cebu’s top official emphasized that decisions to suspend classes remain within the authority of local chief executives, who must consider prevailing conditions in their respective municipalities.

Under DepEd Order No. 22, series of 2024, local government officials are authorized to implement localized class suspensions during emergencies.

He said DepEd also issued additional guidelines in 2026 outlining four emergency classifications and their corresponding learning delivery arrangements.

The Cebu provincial schools division oversees 1,413 public schools across 44 municipalities, serving approximately 657,000 learners.

Paulin said that while DepEd supports local governments' efforts to protect children during emergencies, the agency must also address the educational consequences of repeated disruptions.

"We also have to mitigate the adverse effects," he said.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, who convened the forum, called for clearer coordination among education officials, health experts, environmental regulators and local governments to ensure timely decisions on class suspensions.

She emphasized that protecting children's health must go hand in hand with ensuring that their education continues safely.(RBE)