DepEd memo bans tests, quizzes on bad weather days

TEACHERS in both public and private elementary and secondary high schools in Taguig City and Pateros have been asked not to give tests or even quizzes whenever there is a weather disturbance resulting in heavy rains in the two areas.

This way, parents can rest easy when they fail to send their children to school due to bad weather for fear that they might miss out on an exam or an important academic activity, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) Division Office of Taguig and Pateros.

On July 8, the DepEd Taguig-Pateros division office issued Memorandum No. 15 which left to parents the decision of  whether or not to let their children attend classes due to inclement weather.

Signed by Schools Division Superintendent Danilo Gutierrez, the memorandum also orered all school heads and teachers in Taguig and Pateros “to refrain from giving examinations, short quiz or tests when rains are constantly pouring, especially when a low pressure area is registered by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).”

According to Gutierrez, no examination should be administered to students whenever there is a typhoon signal raised by Pagasa in Metro Manila or on days when moderate to heavy rains is anticipated.

Division chief supervisor for school and governance operation George Tizon said the order was expected to reduce the anxiety of parents who may be hesitant to let their children miss school for fear of missing an examination or failing to meet an important academic requirement.

“In the event that an examination, short quiz or long test was scheduled and actually administered despite the prevalence of moderate to heavy rains, students who failed to report to school are entitled to take a special examination [on] the next regular class day in order not to affect his/her academic performance,” the memorandum added.

Class advisers can also ask subject teachers to give a makeup test to these students upon their presentation of an excuse letter signed either by the adviser or the guidance counselor.

Should they fail to do so, these teachers “will have to explain in writing the reason for not acknowledging the excuse slip,” the memorandum warned.

According to Tizon, they would disseminate the information stated in the memorandum through the Parents-Teachers Association groups.

Last week, monsoon rains due to Tropical Storm “Egay” and Typhoon “Falcon” swamped Metro Manila, causing floods that led to the suspension of classes in many areas. Maricar B. Brizuela