The Department of Education (DepEd) has introduced revised guidelines for class and work suspensions in public schools, ensuring better protection for students, teachers, and staff during emergencies such as severe weather, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.
DepEd Order No. 22, signed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara on December 23 and released on December 27, is designed to safeguard the education sector while minimizing disruptions to learning.
The updated policy applies to all public schools and DepEd-operated Community Learning Centers. Private schools and other institutions are encouraged, but not required, to adopt the new guidelines, said DepEd.
Key provisions
- Tropical Cyclones:
- Signal No. 1: Automatic suspension of preschool classes.
- Signal No. 2: Suspension of face-to-face classes for preschool, elementary, and junior high school. A shift to modular distance learning or make-up classes is required for elementary and junior high school students.
- Signal Nos. 3, 4, and 5: Suspension of classes and work at all levels.
- Heavy Rainfall:
- Yellow Rainfall Warning: LGUs will decide on class suspensions, with schools shifting to alternative learning methods.
- Orange and Red Rainfall Warnings:
- If classes have already started, school heads will immediately suspend classes and work.
- If classes have not yet started, suspensions will be automatic.
- Earthquakes:
- Intensity V and below: LGUs will decide on class suspensions, with schools using alternative learning methods.
- Intensity VI and above: Automatic suspension of classes and work. Schools must assess building safety before allowing students and personnel to return.
- Air Quality and Volcanic Smog (Vog):
- Acutely Unhealthy (Purple): LGUs will determine whether to suspend classes, with alternative learning methods used.
- Emergency (Maroon): Automatic suspension of classes and work.
- Extreme Heat: LGUs may suspend classes, with schools shifting to alternative learning methods.
- Power Outages: No automatic suspension of classes.
Continuity plans
In addition to these guidelines, DepEd requires schools to develop or update their Learning and Service Continuity Plans (LSCPs). These plans must consider suitable alternative delivery modes, protocols for safeguarding learning materials, and guidelines for mobilizing staff during emergencies.
A school’s LSCP must include:
- “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.
With the release of the new order, the previous guidelines under DepEd Order No. 37 (2022) are repealed.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.