Amid heat wave, schools told to avoid midday, outdoor graduation rites

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday reminded school officials not to hold closing activities at midday to spare students and teachers from the health risks posed by the heat wave affecting many parts of the country.

“Because of the prevailing hot weather conditions, we have issued advisories that whenever possible and while available space allows it, end-of-school events should be held indoors,” DepEd Assistant Secretary and Deputy Spokesperson Francis Cesar Bringas said on the government television program “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.”

READ: Heatwave in PH: Outdoor workers risk life, health to live

“In the absence of indoor spaces like covered courts, schools should not hold their closing exercises from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. because that is the peak hours of sunlight,” he added.

Bringas issued the reminder as schools nationwide are preparing to hold graduation and moving-up exercises in the coming days amid extreme temperatures being felt in many areas.

“So, they can hold the events from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., or from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. to ensure that attendees would not be bothered too much by the high heat,” he said.

According to Bringas, DepEd has instructed school officials to take the heat factor into consideration when planning their closing exercises, stressing the need to hold these events indoors.

Adjusting schedules

“[Schools] should adjust their schedules so that if the attendees … are too [many], they can [do] it in batches to accommodate everybody in that available indoor venue …,” he said.

Another instruction from DepEd was for school officials to avoid burdening graduating students and their parents with unnecessary expenses.

“Last week or two weeks ago, we gave all school heads guidance that the holding of year-end activities like moving up exercises and graduations need to be simple but meaningful celebrations,” Bringas said

“This means that they should avoid extravagant events that will not need special attires …,” he added.

DepEd is also strictly implementing the no-collection policy for year-end exercises.

“[There] should be no contributions coming from learners or parents in the conduct of our yearend exercises because these will be financed by the school’s [maintenance and other operating expenses], which form part of the funding for the school,” Bringas said.

As for reverting to the traditional June-to-March school calendar, DepEd has finalized plans to implement this by school year 2025 to 2026, he said.