The Department of Education (DepEd) monitored a steady increase in the number of schools shifting to alternative delivery mode (ADM) as the intense heat prompted local governments to suspend in-person classes in their respective areas.
As of Thursday, April 25, DepEd confirmed that 7,188 schools are implementing ADMs out of 47,678 schools nationwide.
Region III has the highest number of schools under ADM with 1,765. It was followed by Region VI with 1,389 and Region I with 759.
In Region II, 109 schools suspended classes due to extreme heat. DepEd also noted that 525 schools in Region IV-A are also under ADM.
Similarly, 456 schools in Region IV-B shifted to ADM and 413 schools in Region V have suspended face-to-face classes.
A total of 407 schools have suspended on-site classes due to hot weather in Region 7. DepEd said there are also 102 schools in Region VII that are under ADMs.
In Region 9, there are 164 schools under ADM, and three schools in Region X also suspended their physical classes.
There are 84 schools in Region XI under ADM, 335 in Region XII, and one in Region XIII.
A total of 246 schools in CAR shifted to ADM as 430 schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) suspended classes due to the extreme weather conditions.
Amid the high heat indices recorded in various parts of the country, DepEd repeatedly reminded all concerned that the school heads have the “authority and discretion” to suspend the conduct of in-person classes and shift to ADM in cases of extreme heat and other calamities that may compromise the health and safety of learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel.
DepEd reiterated the provisions of Department Order 037 issued in 2022, which provides guidelines on canceling or suspending classes and work in schools in the event of natural disasters, power outages/power interruptions, and other calamities.
With over 47,000 schools nationwide, DepEd also stressed that it is in the “best interest of the learning community to have localized assessments for timely response and interventions to ensure the welfare of learners and personnel.”