Classes, distance learning in areas battered by ‘Ulysses’ suspended

The Department of Education confirmed Monday that some of its regional offices in areas battered by typhoon “Ulysses” have suspended classes and the conduct of distance learning activities this week.

DepEd said that its regional office in Region 4-A (Calabarzon) has declared suspension of classes and other related distance learning activities from Nov. 16 to Nov. 20.

In a regional memorandum signed by DepEd Calabarzon Regional Director Wilfredo Cabral dated Nov. 15, he announced the suspension of distance learning activities in areas heavily affected by typhoons and other related concerns.

“Tropical storm ‘Ulysses’ and other recent weather disturbances put homes and schools in a difficult situation,” Cabral said. “Office personnel, teachers, parents, learners suffer the aftermath in severely affected areas particularly those which were under water for a number of days,” he added.

“This is to provide affected personnel, families and the learners to recover from the devastating effects of the typhoon.”

Cabral instructed all schools division superintendents to “conduct inventory of available self-learning modules” and declare a “buffer” which can be transferred without cost to the Division of Rizal subject to existing Commission on Audit rules and other policies and guidelines.

This same scheme, he said, will also be “observed with the fire victims” of Bacoor City in Cavite.

Suspension of classes in affected schools under the DepEd National Capital Region will depend on the announcement of local executives.

DepEd-NCR Director Malcolm Garma, in a memorandum dated Nov. 14, said that the suspension of distance learning activities will depend on the declaration made by the respective local government units.

“The field is hereby informed that suspension of the conduct of Distance Learning activities, either online or modular, will only happen in areas where LGUs will declare suspension of classes on Monday (Nov. 16) and thereafter,” Garma said.

Garma added that if no suspension was made by their respective LGUs, “private schools can exercise their discretion to suspend their classes.” If deemed necessary, he added that the Schools Division Superintendents (SDSs) “can recommend to their LGUs localized suspension.”