Class suspension during rains now the call of Pagasa, local execs

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — With the onset of the rainy season, parents are reminded that class suspension due to inclement weather is up to the weather bureau and local executives, and not to the Department of Education (DepEd).

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said classes would be automatically suspended according to the typhoon signal warnings issued by the Philippine Atmospherics, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

According to protocol, only kindergarten or preschool classes are automatically suspended in areas placed under public storm signal number one.

When storm signal number two is raised, classes in elementary and high school are also suspended.

Once storm signal number three is raised, classes in all levels up to college, including graduate school, are suspended.

In the absence of typhoon signal warnings, mayors are authorized to suspend classes based on the local condition to spare students the risk of getting caught in flashfloods.

In 2010, Luistro said DepEd would stop declaring class suspensions due to bad weather in order to avoid causing confusion over advisories issued by Pagasa.

“The Department is working together with the local government units to ensure that our learners and teachers are and will be safe during rainy season,” Luistro said in a statement.

“We encourage our schools to continue to involve the students, their families and their communities in preparing for disasters,” he added.

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