DepEd List of Schools Class Suspension due to extreme heat (April 1-30, 2024)

As of today, April 1, 2024, the Department of Education (DepEd) has announced the list of schools where classes are suspended due to extreme heat. See list below. 👇

Just recently, the Department of Education, through DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas, stated in an interview that school heads can decide on their own whether face-to-face classes need to be suspended in their respective schools due to the extreme heat brought on by the El Niño phenomenon. He also reiterated the policy on class suspension for public schools nationwide, as El Niño is likely to persist until May 2024." 
“Since they are the school managers, meron silang ganoong authority na naibigay sa kanila at ine-expect natin that they will exercise very wise discretion when it comes to suspension of classes, including ‘yung pagbibigay ng mga intervention activities for lost hours,” Bringas said

Bringas said that students and teachers could wear more comfortable clothing aside from their regular uniforms to reduce the heat they feel while inside the schools.

State weather bureau PAGASA said El Niño is anticipated to persist until March-April-May 2024, with a 74% chance of a transition to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral conditions in April-May-June 2024.

And today, April 1, 2024 DepEd releases the list of schools with classes suspended due to extreme heat:

Schools affected by extreme heat suspensions:

Classes are suspended in the following areas on Monday, April 1 as of 11 a.m.:

Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental: Face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private;

Bacolod City: Face-to-face classes in pre-school to senior high school, public and private;

Roxas, Capiz: Face-to-face classes in pre-school to senior high school, public and private;

Silay City, Negros Occidental: Face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private;

Iloilo City: Face-to-face classes in pre-school to senior high school, public and private (until April 2);

E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental: Face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private (until April 2);

Kabangakalan, Negros Occidental: All levels, public and private (until April 2);

Isabela, Negros Occidental: All levels (until April 2);

Cauayan, Negros Occidental: All levels, public and private (until April 2);

Bago City, Negros Occidental: Face-to-face classes in all levels, public and private (until April 2);

Meanwhile, Tantangan and Banga in South Cotabato have suspended afternoon face-to-face classes in their municipalities from April 1 to 15 in all levels, both public and private schools.

State meteorologists forecast areas in Western Visayas, including Iloilo City and Roxas City, to experience heat index levels of 41 degrees Celsius on Monday, just a point below what is categorized as within the “danger” level of 42 to 51 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental in Central Visayas and South Cotabato in Soccsksargen are both expected to feel temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius within the “extreme caution” level of the heat index.

Despite the absence of class suspensions in their areas, the municipalities of Aparri in Cagayan and Catarman in Northern Samar are expected to reach a heat index temperature of 43 degrees Celsius.

Other areas which are forecast to experience dangerous heat index levels are Camarines Sur and Zamboanga del Sur at 42 degrees Celsius.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) defines heat index as “a human discomfort index that gives the apparent temperature on what humans perceive or feel as the temperature (from the surroundings) affecting the body.”

Pagasa noted that heat index temperatures within the danger level may cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion.

Heat stroke is also probable with continued exposure.

Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/