School in Tacloban to suspend afternoon classes
TACLOBAN CITY– Several schools in Baybay City have resorted to modular learning method due to the heat wave.
Among these schools that shifted to the modular learning method are Mailhi National High School, Higuloan Elementary School, and the Bitanhuan National High School.
Jasmin Calzita, the regional information officer of the Department of Education (DepEd), said that these schools started the said learning method since last week.
About 600 students are enrolled in these three public schools.
However, there could be days that face-to-face classes could still be conducted to be held at the school’s open spaces like a gymnasium.
Calzita said that school heads have the discretion to implement the modular distance learning for some reasons like due to natural calamities ‘to ensure continuity and that learning competencies and objectives are met,’ as mandated under Department Order Number 37.
“And during our recent regional management committee meeting, our schools’ division superintendents have been reminded of D.O. 37. The principal/school heads are also reminded of their authority and responsibility to suspend in-person classes and switch to alternative delivery modes (of learning) amid extreme heat, especially if the situation already puts the students’ health and safety at risk,” she said.
Calzita said that other school divisions of the region have yet to cancel face-to-face classes due to the heat wave.
Meantime, a teacher in one of the public schools in the city, who declined not to be named as she waits for an official pronouncement by their school principal, said that they would change their class schedule due to the current weather condition.
“Classes in all grade levels will now be conducted in the morning. Afternoon classes will be canceled due to our present weather condition which is not conducive to learning,” the teacher, who handles Kindergarten classes, said.
The said new set-up will be implemented next week.
Module distance learning was used by the DepEd when the country was hit by the pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
For the past several weeks now, Eastern Visayas have been experiencing heat spells that sometimes reached up to more than 40 Celsius degrees.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
