As some teachers and students suffer from extreme heat during in-person classes, a group urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to allow schools to implement “shorter” class hours and temporarily suspend the wearing of the official uniform for teachers during classes.
(DepEd / MB Visual Content Group)
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) appealed to DepEd to address the current situation in schools where students and teachers suffer extreme heat brought about by the dry season. Last week, DepEd issued a memorandum reminding school heads of their responsibility to suspend classes and shift to modular distance learning if the weather remains unfavorable for holding face-to-face classes. READ: [https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/22/schools-may-suspend-classes-switch-to-distance-learning-during-extreme-climate-conditions-dep-ed](https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/22/schools-may-suspend-classes-switch-to-distance-learning-during-extreme-climate-conditions-dep-ed) While the TDC recognizes the move by DepEd, TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas pointed out that “specific instructions” should have been given by the Central Office to the local offices. Basas noted that without specific instructions from the DepEd Central Office, many school heads are hesitant to suspend face-to-face classes. Instead of issuing a general memorandum, Basas pointed out that the policy should be at the Division Level. “Kadalasan ay iisa lang naman ang temperature sa buong dibisyon, kaya mas mabuting magdeklara ang superintendent ng dibisyon alinsunod sa konsultasyon sa school heads at mga guro (Usually, the temperature is the same in the entire division, so it is better for the superintendent of the division to declare in accordance with the consultation with school heads and teachers),” he explained. TDC said that DepEd divisions usually cover an entire province or city.

Pure modular ‘not effective’

In a memorandum issued by DepEd, Basas said that there were “no other options” aside from pure modular distance learning. School heads, he noted, are hesitant to implement pure modular distance learning because it compromises students’ learning. “Yang pure modular ay napatunayan nang hindi effective, kaya nga may learning gaps tayo ngayon (The pure modular has been proven ineffective, that's why we have learning gaps now),” Basas said. Instead of shifting to pure modular distance learning, shortened class days or hours should be an option because it will still ensure in-person learning along with the modules. “Baka puwedeng shortened period na lang, halimbawa ay once or twice a week na physical classes between 6 to 9 or 10am sa morning session at 3 to 6pm sa afternoon session kung double shift ang schedule ng school (Maybe it could just be a shortened period, for example physical classes once or twice a week between 6 to 9 or 10 in the morning session and 3 to 6 in the afternoon session if the school's schedule is double shift),” Basas explained. Aside from this, TDC is also urging DepEd to allow teachers not to wear their official uniforms which are “hot and uncomfortable.” “Mainit talaga ang uniform namin eh, so hindi komportable ang mga guro at nakadaragdag pa ito sa stress at physical exhaustion (Our uniforms are really hot, so the teachers are not comfortable and it adds to the stress and physical exhaustion),” Basas, who is also a teacher in Caloocan City, said. “Mainit na ang panahon, masikip pa ang classroom, mainit pa rin ang suot ni teacher. Maari naman kaming magsuot ng disente pero komportableng damit sa tag-init (The weather is hot, the classroom is still crowded and the teacher is wearing warm clothes. We can wear decent but comfortable clothes in the summer),” he added. RELATED STORY: [https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/23/group-bats-for-a-more-strategic-approach-to-address-extreme-heat-in-schools](https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/23/group-bats-for-a-more-strategic-approach-to-address-extreme-heat-in-schools)