ALL PUBLIC schools nationwide are advised to implement asynchronous classes on April 29-30 per the Department of Education (DepEd) advisory.
DepEd issued the advisory on Sunday, April 28 following the latest heat index forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on the same date.
PAGASA released on 5 p.m. Sunday a 2-day forecast for April 29-30 showing a heat index ranging from 38-47 degrees Celsius.
According to PAGASA’s heat index chart, 33-41 degrees Celsius is classified as Extreme Caution, while 42-51 degrees Celsius is classified as Danger.
Teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public schools are not required to report to their stations.
However, school and division-level programs and the Regional Athletic Association Meets organized by Regional and Schools Division Offices may push through on the dates as scheduled.
“Provided that measures for the safety of all participants have been carefully considered,” the DepEd advisory reads.
DepEd noted it is at the discretion of private schools whether or not to implement the same, as they are not covered in the advisory.
Earlier this month, the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) declared temporary half-day classes from April 5 to 30 due to extreme heat and power outages.
DepEd DO No. 037 of 2022 authorizes suspension or cancellation of classes during a disaster or power outage and implements distance learning to secure the safety of students and school personnel while ensuring learning continuity.
DepEd Davao City Schools Division Superintendent Reynante Solitario told TIMES on Monday, April 29 that all public schools in the city have switched to distance learning.
Solitario added those schools who opt to declare asynchronous even without the order from the central office will be under validation.
“Consistent with our discussions with the regional and division, i-validate muna namin ang schools before we give concurrence,” he said.
The April 29-30 heat index forecast for the Davao region ranges from 41-42 degrees Celsius, which is categorized as under Extreme Caution and Danger.
PAGASA reminds the public to drink plenty of water; limit time spent outdoors; avoid drinking coffee, tea, and liquor; bring an umbrella, and sleeved clothing while outdoors, and reschedule heavy activities for the beginning or end of the day when the weather is cooler.
The highest heat index for last week was recorded on April 28 in Iba, Zambales in Central Luzon region at 53 degrees Celsius.
However, PAGASA noted that values beyond 53 degrees Celsius are “estimates which might already be unrealistic.”
“Such values should therefore not be interpreted in terms of their absolute magnitudes, but rather on the health risk they pose on us,” it added.
Effects of the heat index on the body from prolonged exposure and activity include fatigue leading to heat cramps and exhaustion and worst heat stroke.
