MORNING CLASSES ONLY. Grade 1 learners inside a classroom at the Justo Lukban Elementary School in Manila on this April 2, 2024 photo. From April 11 to May 28 this year, in-person classes in the public schools in the city will only be from 6 a.m. to 12 noon, amid high heat index levels. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)
MANILA – Public schools in the city of Manila will limit the holding of in-person classes in the morning as many parts of the country grapple with sizzling heat index levels.
In Memorandum No. 140 s. 2024 dated April 8 and released Tuesday, Division of City Schools (DCS) Manila Chief Education Supervisor Nerissa Lomeda said in-person classes would only be from 6 a.m. to 12 noon for over six weeks, from April 11 to May 28 in both elementary and secondary schools.
Under the scheme, morning and afternoon shifts shall take turns holding in-person classes during this period.
Meanwhile, asynchronous or distance learning modes would apply to those not scheduled for face-to-face classes on a certain day.
“Schools are encouraged to re-calibrate the class schedules in adherence to the time allotment prescribed in DepEd Order No. 21, s. 2019: Policy Guidelines on the Kto12 Basic Education Program. Proper dissemination of information to all school stakeholders on the change in schedule is enjoined,” the memorandum added.
The directive also encouraged Public Schools District Supervisors (PSDS) to provide technical assistance to schools in crafting re-programmed schedules, including, but not limited to, blended modality, ensuring that parameters are strictly met.
“It must be noted that teachers shall report to school, regardless of the implemented modality, either to conduct online teaching, prepare activity sheets, check and record learners' output, monitor learners' progress, or to fulfill year-end tasks,” it said.
It added that school heads, in collaboration with the School Parents-Teachers Association and Faculty Club "are not precluded to design a class program that will best fit the context of the schools, provided it is within the set parameters”.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday reported that the heat index will peak between 42 degrees Celsius and 44 degrees Celsius in some areas of Luzon and Mindanao.
Heat index is “a measure of the contribution that high humidity makes with abnormally high temperatures in reducing the body’s ability to cool itself.”
It added that a heat index range of 42 to 51 degrees Celsius is dangerous as high temperatures may cause heat cramps, exhaustion, and heat stroke during continued exposure. (PNA)
