File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE | Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — A teachers’ coalition on Monday called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement measures against extreme heat affecting teachers and students.
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) made the call after citing instances of students and teachers falling ill and resulting in absences due to extreme heat last year.
TDC said that while it acknowledges the gradual revert to the old school calendar next school year, DepEd must still implement certain measures in the remaining months of the current academic year.
“Classes can be shortened or shifted to avoid the scorching heat, or teachers and students can be allowed to wear comfortable clothing. If it becomes unbearable and there are health risks, that’s when we employ distance learning modalities,” TDC Chair Benjo Basas said in a statement.
DepEd earlier said that several schools have already shifted to alternative modes of classes.
Meanwhile, the group also suggested the suspension of Catch-Up Fridays, due to the potential reductions in class hours and the previously approved reduction of school days.
Basas also urged the DepEd to expedite the transition to the old school calendar by ending SY 2024 2025 school year by mid-April 2025.
“We hope DepEd also considers shortening the next school year (SY 2024-2025) and ending it by mid-April to facilitate a faster transition. We’re trying to avoid April and May. With DepEd’s current plan, we might end up having classes in April or May for another two or three years.” Basas said.
DepEd previously announced the gradual return of the old school break starting next school year, declaring May 31, 2024 as the new adjusted end date of the current academic year.
The start of the next school year will be on Monday, July 29 and will end on May 16, 2025.