‘Schools can shift to online classes amid intense heat’

FANS OF ALL SIZES –  Grade 1 pupils at Pinyahan Elementary School in Quezon City finish their seatwork  without worrying too much about the summer heat as their classroom is cooled down by several electric fans. (INQUIRER / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines – School administrators have the power to suspend face to face  classes and shift to online mode due to intense heat triggered by the El Nino phenomenon and the dry season, Task Force El Niño Spokesperson Asst. Secretary Joey Villarama said on Tuesday. 

Classes in several areas have recently been suspended due to heat.

“Let us make that clear. Ang sinuspinde po ay face to face classes tapos magshishift po sa online mode of learning so ang isinasalangalang alang po kasi dito ay ang safety at kalusugan ng mga estudyante, ng teaching personnel, at ng non-teaching personnel,” said Villarama in an ambush interview in Malacañan Palace. 

(Let us make that clear. Face to face classes can be suspended and shifted to  online mode. What is being prioritized here is the safety and health of the students, teaching and non-teaching personnel.)

“Ngayon kung sinasabi na magsuspinde tayo tapos di ganoon kainit, better to err on the side of caution na magsuspinde tayo tapos magshift tayo sa online mode kesa naman meron tayong estudyanteng maka-experience ng pagkahilo, sakit ng ulo, pagdugo ng ilong dahil sa tindi ng init,” said Villarama. 

(Now, if we suspend face to face classes even if it is deemed not too hot,  better to err on the side of caution and suspend, and shift to online mode rather than have students experience dizziness, headache, and nosebleeds because of the heat.) 

Aside from school administrators, several local chief executives also suspended classes in the past week.