MANILA, Philippines?The World Health Organization?s declaration of a global epidemic of Influenza A(H1N1) pandemic is not a reason for parents with children in schools to panic, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said yesterday, stressing that safeguards had been instituted in schools.

Lapus said while the virus was ?new to us, the way to address it is not new.?

He said parents and their children should ?be diligent? in maintaining cleanliness and proper hygiene.

Teachers are also prepared to prevent the spread of the virus, Department of Education National Capital Region director Teresita Domalanta said.

She assured parents that if a student exhibited flu symptoms, teachers would know what to do.

?We urge parents to calm down,? Domalanta said. ?They should not worry much.?

Last Monday, classes at the Calumpang Elementary School in Marikina City were suspended when parents panicked after a student got ill. It was later found to be a case of diphtheria.

Domalanta said that aside from posters displayed in schools explaining ways to prevent the flu from spreading, teachers were also checking if any student had fever as part of their daily ?health inspections.?

Hand washing exercises are also being sustained, Domalanta said.

Commission on Higher Education executive director Julito Vitriolo earlier said that suspending classes over the swine flu scare would no longer be feasible as it would disrupt class schedules.