Barely a month after classes officially started under the distance learning approach, classes on all levels in public and private schools in some areas were suspended Monday due to typhoon “Quinta” (international name “Molave”).
While there are no face-to-face classes due to the COVID-19 situation in the country, some local chief executives announced the suspension of classes in anticipation of the disruptions brought by the typhoon.
With this, the Department of Education said that schools may implement the necessary adjustments based on the chosen learning modalities of the students especially those under the printed modular learning.
“Adjustments in the retrieval of modules may be arranged by the schools, duly coordinated with the parents and learners,” Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio said.
Classes on all levels in public and private schools were suspended in some parts of Metro Manila – Pasay City, Mandaluyong City, Malabon City, Manila, San Juan City, Caloocan City, and Taguig City. Classes from kindergarten to senior high school were suspended in Quezon City.
Classes on all levels were also suspended in Laguna, Camarines Sur, Naga City, Albay, Cavite, Batangas, Lucena City, and Bataan. In Sorsogon, classes on all levels were suspended from Monday, Oct. 26, to Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla said that even if remote learning or modular asynchronous home study is implemented, classes on all levels are suspended because learning delivery modalities will be affected. “For sure, WiFi will be affected, distribution of modules will be difficult, and the parents need to prepare for heavy rains and possible flooding,” he said.
Citing that heavy rains brought about by the typhoon may lead to power interruptions and Internet connectivity issues, Mayor Lenlen Oreta suspended classes on all levels in public and private schools in Malabon.
San Antonio said that classes will be suspended when there is inclement weather or extreme cases even if the students are currently under home-based learning. Class attendance policy for students will also be flexible, depending on the learning delivery modality that they have chosen.
Last Oct. 5, DepEd opened School Year 2020-2021 without in-person classes. Under the distance and blended learning approach, lessons are delivered to students through alternative learning delivery modalities such as modular (printed and digitized); online distance learning; and television or radio-based instructions.
San Antonio explained that until revised, the prevailing policy cited in Executive Order No. 66, Series of 2012, will remain the same in which the local chief executives have the authority to declare class suspension based on the situation in their areas.
Automatic suspension of classes will also be implemented based on the storm signal raised. For Storm Signal No. 1, classes in kindergarten will be suspended; for Signal No. 2, classes in kindergarten, elementary, and high school will be suspended; and Signal No. 3, classes from kindergarten to college, including graduate schools and government offices, are cancelled.