DepEd suspends in-person classes on April 8

PHOTO FROM AFP/INQUIRER FILES

Public schools nationwide will implement distance learning on Monday due to the upcoming holidays, which would tighten the schedule among students and teachers to complete their respective requirements, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Sunday.

Michael Poa, undersecretary and spokesperson for the DepEd, told reporters that the public advisory was to allow students in all public schools to complete all their pending homework, projects and other requirements.

“Likewise, teaching and nonteaching personnel in all public schools shall not be required to report to their stations,” Poa said in the advisory.

READ: Intense heat causes more class disruptions

Private schools, on the other hand—while they are not required to do what is told on the advisory—have the option if they want to do the same, he added.

In later messages, Poa explained that this had nothing to do with the severe heat temperatures in the past days, which prompted several school divisions in various regions to suspend classes.

“For the hot weather conditions, school heads can immediately suspend in-person classes,” he said.

“That is why we don’t do blanket suspensions due to heat because there are different situations among 47,000 public schools across the country,” Poa added.

He reiterated that this was the “best time” for students to use the ample amount of time they have to complete all their pending requirements.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a proclamation last week declaring April 10 as a holiday in observance of Eid al-Fitr, or the Feast of Ramadan. April 9 is “Araw ng Kagitingan” or Day of Valor, a public holiday.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), for its part, urged that the DepEd ensure the adoption of Department Order No. 37, which sets the guidelines on the implementation of class suspensions during calamities, with teachers not required to go to schools.

Benjo Basas, chair of TDC, said they continue to receive reports among teachers on the ground that they were still required to come to school despite suspensions implemented due to heat.

Basas hoped that this should not be allowed by the DepEd and should monitor all schools that still had this requirement. INQ