MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) announced that a significant number of schools across the Philippines have transitioned to alternative delivery modes (ADM) in response to the current hot weather conditions, impacting a vast cohort of students.
According to Philippines News Agency, 3,954 schools in 12 different regions have adopted ADM, affecting 1,393,806 learners as recorded by Wednesday afternoon. This substantial shift aims to mitigate the adverse effects of the heatwave on educational activities, prioritizing the health and safety of both students and faculty.
In Metro Manila alone, 183 educational institutions across several cities including Caloocan, Malabon, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Pasay, and San Juan have implemented ADM to counter the sweltering conditions. Notably, Western Visayas reported the highest number of schools employing ADM strategies, totaling 990, while Soccsksargen and Central Visayas followed with 801 and 694 schools, respectively. The Ilocos Region also saw significant adjustments with 581 schools shifting modes.
Moreover, the DepEd highlighted additional regional impacts: Central Luzon had 199 schools suspending in-person classes, Eastern Visayas had 162, and the Bicol Region had 148. Lesser numbers were reported in Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the Zamboanga Peninsula, reflecting a broad but varied response to the heatwave across the country.
The advisory from the Task Force El Niño played a critical role in these preventive measures, prompting local government units (LGUs) to proactively switch to ADM to safeguard the educational community during this challenging period. The DepEd affirmed the autonomy of school heads in making decisive actions regarding class suspensions, underscoring a localized approach to ensuring uninterrupted learning while addressing the immediate health risks posed by the extreme heat.
No class suspensions were reported in Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Caraga, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), indicating regional disparities in the impact of the weather and the resulting educational adjustments.