STARTING immediately, online and in-person classes in all levels of basic education (kindergarten to senior high school) will be “automatically cancelled or suspended” in areas covered by flood, typhoon or rainfall warning issued by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PHIVOLCS).
This was contained in a memorandum order dated September 1 and signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte.
“If the tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) is issued at a time when classes have already begun, the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home, if it is safe to do so. However, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel safely in school if travelling is unsafe,” Duterte said in DepEd Memorandum Order No.37.
Local chief executives shall decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes in areas where there are strong winds not caused by a typhoon.
In the case of an earthquake, the order said online and in-person classes will also be automatically suspended in areas where the PHIVOLCS has declared a category 5 temblor or above.
“School principals can cancel classes at any Intensity Level if in their assessment buildings and other structures are seen to be in danger of collapsing or are found to have major damage,” it said.
Local chief executives shall decide on the cancellation of classes in cases where the earthquake Intensity Scale is 4 and below.
Duterte said she issued the revised guidelines to ensure that the students and teachers’ right to life, health and safety are always protected.
“This policy promotes the safety and protection of learners and personnel from unnecessary dangers that they may be exposed to during natural disasters and calamities,” Duterte added.
