As extreme heat grips the country, classrooms are emptying, leaving students struggling to keep up with their education. With temperatures soaring beyond safe levels, schools are being forced to suspend in-person learning, pushing students into remote setups that many are unprepared for.
Across the world, millions face the same reality. In 2024 alone, climate disasters—heat waves, typhoons, floods, and droughts—disrupted the education of 242 million students, hitting the poorest communities hardest.
But this crisis extends far beyond the Philippines. In 2024 alone, extreme weather disrupted the education of at least 242 million students worldwide, according to UNICEF.
Heat waves, cyclones, storms, floods, and droughts—fueled by climate change—hit the hardest in low- and lower-middle-income countries, where nearly three-quarters of affected students live.
Around a billion children live in regions highly vulnerable to climate shocks. When disasters strike, schools often suffer heavy damage, forcing students out of classrooms for weeks or months.
Even when schools remain open, extreme heat makes it harder for students to focus and absorb lessons. Missing school for extended periods puts students at a serious academic disadvantage.
The setbacks go beyond academics—students coping with climate disasters face emotional and psychological stress, making it even harder to stay engaged in school.
To protect students, education leaders took action. The education department created a contingency plans, when disasters or emergencies strike.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued a Revised Guidelines on Class and Work Suspension in Schools During Disasters and Emergencies.
“This order outlines guidelines for suspending in-person classes during disasters or emergencies. The goal is to safeguard learners, teachers, and nonteaching personnel from potential harm while ensuring uninterrupted learning,” portion of the order read.
Shifts
Adjusting academic calendars can also help. In the Philippines, for example, an attempt to align school schedules with international standards placed students in classrooms during the hottest months of the year.
The government has now decided to shift the school year back to avoid peak summer heat.
DepEd directs schools to shift to distance learning when the heat index reaches 42°C or higher, even without an executive order from local chief executives.
Local officials may still decide to suspend or continue classes within their jurisdiction, in accordance with the guidelines set by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
However, shifting to remote learning in case of class suspension presents challenges, as not all students and teachers have access to the necessary technology.
While printed learning modules can be used, not all students have someone to guide them at home. In some cases, parents end up completing the modules instead of the students.
As climate change intensifies, education systems must evolve to keep students learning. Without sustainable action, millions of children will continue to face disruptions that shape not just their academic performance, but their entire future.
Recently, The Philippine Star also reported that the country faces a shortage of approximately 165,000 classrooms, driven by insufficient government funding, prolonged procurement processes, and a rapidly growing student population that has long overwhelmed public school infrastructure.*
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.