DepEd Drafts Rules for Automatic Class Suspensions Amid Extreme Heat, Storms

The Department of Education (DepEd) is proposing a standardized system that would automatically suspend and resume in-person classes and onsite work in schools during emergencies, based on hazard thresholds set by government agencies. The proposal, which will be submitted to Malacañang through a draft executive order, is currently undergoing nationwide consultations with local government units, education officials, and other stakeholders. Under the proposed framework, in-person classes and onsite work would automatically be suspended once specific thresholds issued by national technical agencies are reached, including a heat index of 40 degrees Celsius or higher, official rainfall warnings, volcanic smog, and elevated air quality risks. Classes and onsite work would automatically resume once the advisories are lifted and schools pass the required safety inspections. DepEd said the proposal also allows local chief executives and school heads to declare localized or school-specific suspensions and resumptions based on conditions on the ground. Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the proposal aims to balance learner safety and learning continuity. “In line with the directive of President Bongbong Marcos to prioritize both learner safety and learning recovery, we are working closely with local leaders to build a clear, balanced framework.” “When extreme weather or hazards threaten our communities, keeping our learners and teachers safe will always be the top priority. At the same time, we must prevent unnecessary disruptions to education,” he added. According to DepEd, public school heads seeking granular suspensions would need the concurrence of their Schools Division Superintendent, while resumptions following localized suspensions would require the approval of the local chief executive. Private school heads may also declare school-specific suspensions or resumptions, subject to prompt coordination with local government officials. To minimize learning disruptions, the proposed framework also integrates flexible learning delivery and self-learning materials when face-to-face classes cannot be conducted safely. DepEd said consultations have so far involved Schools Division Superintendents, local chief executives, the Bangsamoro education ministry, and agencies including the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health, PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Among the issues discussed were school-level decision-making, learning continuity protocols, and a proposed one-hour response period for local governments to act on requests for school-specific class suspensions and resumptions. DepEd said it will continue consulting teachers, parents, and students before finalizing the recommendations for submission to the Office of the President. While class suspensions during typhoons are a typical occurrence in the Philippines, suspending classes for extreme heat is a recent incident that's slowly becoming more common given climate change. In 2024, several Metro Manila LGUs suspended face-to-face classes due to "dangerous heat." In 2025, the DepEd implemented measures to safeguard the health and well-being of students and personnel amid the scorching heat being felt in some areas. In the same year, the Quezon City LGU updated its guidelines for class suspensions due to inclement weather, including extreme heat, earth quake, and poor air quality. — LA, GMA News