There is no need to resort to outright suspension of face-to-face classes in the event of extreme heat, Virac Mayor Samuel Laynes said last week as long as classes are adjusted accordingly.
The local chief executive made his sentiments known to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) last week following the issuance of an advisory by the Provincial DRRM Council on the high temperatures and heat index.
In the advisory, Acting Governor and PDRRMC Chair Peter Cua advised all LCEs to recommend for the suspension of all in-person classes in all levels, including graduate studies, in all private and public schools.
The advisory likewise advised school heads to implement alternate learning modalities in primary and secondary levels and online classes for tertiary and post graduate school.
The public must minimize and/or avoid any unnecessary outdoor activities as the hot weather can led to illnesses and medical emergencies, the council stated, even as it directed MDRRMOs to be prepared to respond to heat-related contingencies.
Citing the unpredictable weather condition in Catanduanes where heavy rains can suddenly occur, Mayor Laynes gave the school heads the option to suspend classes or choose any learning modality that would address the situation, including adjusting class hours to 6-10 AM and 2-6 PM.
He pointed out that class suspensions due to extreme heat cannot be applied in schools located in areas where the heat is tolerable such as in mountain villages, school compounds beside rivers or near the sea.
The mayor said that in case of a reduction in in-person class hours, major subjects should be given priority so that there will be minimal loss of learning especially with graduating high school students set to take college entrance exams.
It would be helpful for school heads and teachers to just advise learners to bring umbrellas or wear suitable hats to school during face-to-face classes, Laynes stressed, recalling what happened during the pandemis when on-line or modular learning resulted in considerable loss of learning that has yet to be recovered.