DepEd revises class and work suspension guidelines for public schools

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) revised its guidelines for declaring class and work suspensions in public schools during bad weather, earthquakes, and other emergencies.

In DepEd Order No. 22, signed on Monday, December 23, and released on Friday, December 27, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said “the goal is to safeguard learners, teachers, and nonteaching personnel from potential harm while ensuring uninterrupted learning.”

The order covers all public schools and DepEd-operated Community Learning Centers under the Alternative Learning System, but the education department said “private schools, private ALS providers, and basic education units of state/local universities and colleges may opt to adopt the guidelines.”

Here is a summary of the revised guidelines:

Tropical cyclones

• Signal No. 1 – classes for preschool are automatically suspended
• Signal No. 2 – face-to-face classes for preschool, elementary, and junior high school are automatically suspended, but elementary and junior high school must shift to modular distance learning, performance tasks, projects, or make-up classes
• Signal Nos. 3, 4, and 5 – classes and work in all levels are automatically suspended

Heavy rainfall

• Yellow rainfall warning – the local government unit will decide on the suspension of face-to-face classes and work in schools, provided that schools will shift to modular distance learning, performance tasks, projects, or make-up classes
• Orange and red rainfall warnings
  • When classes have already begun – the school head will immediately suspend classes and work for preschool to senior high school and ALS
  • When classes have not yet started – classes and work for preschool to senior high school and ALS are automatically suspended

Earthquakes

• Intensity V and below – the local government unit will decide on the suspension of face-to-face classes and work in schools, provided that schools will shift to modular distance learning, performance tasks, projects, or make-up classes
• Intensity VI and above – classes and work in all levels are automatically suspended; the school head must request assessment of school buildings before allowing students and personnel to return

Low air quality or volcanic smog (vog)

• Acutely unhealthy (purple) – the local government unit will decide on the suspension of face-to-face classes, provided that schools will shift to modular distance learning, performance tasks, projects, or make-up classes
• Emergency (maroon) – classes and work are automatically suspended

Extreme heat

• The local government unit can suspend classes, provided that schools will shift to modular distance learning, performance tasks, projects, or make-up classes

Power outages or interruptions

• No automatic suspension of classes

Meanwhile, the DepEd order also instructs public schools to develop and update their respective Learning and Service Continuity Plans (LSCPs), taking into account the revised guidelines for class and work suspensions.

A school’s LSCP should include the following:

• “suitable ADMs (alternative delivery modes of education) for different types of disasters and emergencies, considering local circumstances”
• “protocols for the safekeeping and storage of learning materials and devices to prevent damage during calamities”
• “procedures for distributing [learning] materials, ensuring that learners can easily access them when needed”
• “guidelines for mobilizing teachers, school heads, and other staff during emergencies”

“The LSCP must be crafted every three years alongside the School Improvement Plan, but must be reviewed and updated annually at the start of the school year,” the DepEd said.

Read DepEd Order No. 22 in full here:

With the release of the revised guidelines, the previous guidelines contained in DepEd Order No. 37, issued in 2022, are considered repealed. – Rappler.com