Address classroom, remote learning gaps to cope with extreme heat - group

Metro Manila, Philippines - Addressing classroom shortage and blended learning gaps is needed to cope with extreme heat during summer, a teacher’s group and education expert said.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Ruby Bernardo, president of Alliance of Concerned Teachers Metro Manila Union, called on the government to speed up the construction of climate-resilient classrooms. The education sector has a backlog of 165,000 classrooms.

“At least sa 2026, magkaroon ng 15,000 na dagdag na classroom kasi hangga’t hindi na-a-address mananatili talaga ganito iyong kalagayan ng ating mga schools,” said Bernardo.

[Translation: At least in 2026, there must be 15,000 new classrooms because school conditions won’t change if this will not be addressed.]

READ: 15,000 new classrooms in 2025 via public-private partnership - DepEd

She lamented the lack of clinics in some schools, which are essential for health-related risks.

For Lizamarie Olegario, education expert and University of the Philippines associate professor, canceling classes is unsustainable.

“Since our country’s temperature is increasing, we need to put air conditioners in the classrooms, or at the very least, make our classrooms climate-ready and enticing for students to go to, instead of going to the malls for cooler environments. If we can’t do this, barangays should offer centers and libraries,” she said in a separate interview.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara earlier said class suspensions are not automatic during extreme heat but schools can carry out a flexible schedule to hold lessons.

Addressing blended learning gaps

Blended learning remains the go-to option when classes are canceled, but Bernardo said many students still couldn’t keep up with the scheme.

“Marami sa kanila hindi na lang gagawa ng mga activities sa classrooms na ibibigay namin dahil yung ibibili nga naman pang internet, pang data, ibibili na lang ng bigas ng pamilya,” she said.

[Translation: Many of them will not do the classroom activities we provide because the money for internet or data will just be used to buy rice for the family.]

Bernardo also lamented that some teachers end up shouldering the print cost of modules for students.

Olegario said remote learning can only be effective when teachers and students are equipped with proper tools.

“Blended learning systems should be seriously enhanced so that anytime that classes are suspended, students can continue learning,” she said.