DepEd revises class suspension rules for uninterrupted learning

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) has revised class suspension guidelines to make sure that learning schedule disruptions are kept to a minimum or uninterrupted as much as possible

The new rules were under DepEd Order 22 series of 2024 dated Monday, Dec. 23, and announced in a news release on Friday.

These were released in the wake of a DepEd report that 3.8 million learners are at “high risk” of continued learning loss. 

RELATED: Over 230 schools at 'very high risk' of learning loss due to calamities - DepEd 

The revised class suspensions based on storm signals are as follows:

+ Signal No. 1 - Automatic suspension for Kindergarten classes in affected areas

+ Signal No. 2 - Automatic suspension of face-to-face classes up to Grade 10, provided that elementary and junior high school learners will shift to modular distance learning, performance tasks, projects, or make-up classes based on the school's learning and service continuity plan

+ Signal No. 3 to 5 - Automatic suspension of classes and work in all levels

Suspension guidelines also listed other possible reasons to call off on-site classes such as heavy rainfall and flood, earthquakes, power-related issues, extreme heat condition, low air quality or vog, and other emergencies and hazards.

Guidelines have been set for schools to implement modular distance learning, online distance learning, or blended learning, where feasible, when in-person classes are cancelled.

School heads have the option to implement either online or modular learning.

The new order requires public schools to report the types of class suspensions, the circumstances of the announcements, and alternative learning delivery methods carried out per quarter.

The school report would also include the alternative learning delivery modes used by teachers when they were not required to report to school during class suspensions.

When online or modular learning is not feasible, DepEd said make-up classes may be scheduled during extended hours or on Saturdays. Make-up classes will be required if the school fails to meet the required 180 school days.

Public schools are directed to develop and update learning and service continuity plans in relation to class suspensions, particularly identifying what alternative learning mode they can use for different disasters and emergencies.

Other matters included in the plan, which would be crafted and updated every three years, were learning resources, various school procedures, the conduct of learning recovery modes, and resource allocation, among others.

The Philippines is prone to storms that bring heavy rain or floods. When calamities strike, some schools serve as evacuation centers for a number of days.

For this year also, sweltering heat was a reason to suspend classes in parts of the.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education said 53 teaching days were lost in the school year 2023 to 2024 due to non-teaching tasks and activities for teachers in addition to school closures during calamities and holidays.