The Makati City local government issued on Friday, April 5, a modified class schedule for its schools to protect the learners and teaching personnel from extreme heat.

In its advisory, morning classes in city schools will be held from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. while afternoon classes will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. starting April 8.

"Habang pinaiikli ang mga klase, pinapaalalahanan ang mga magulang na masigasig na subaybayan at isumite sa tamang oras ang activities ng mga anak araw-araw. Pinapayuhan din ang lahat na magsuot ng komportable at light-colored na damit sa klase. Mangyaring dalhin ang iyong mga tumbler at uminom ng maraming tubig upang manatiling hydrated (While the classes have been shortened, parents are reminded to diligently monitor and conduct their children's' daily activities in the proper time. Everyone is also urged to wear light-colored and comfortable clothes during classes and to always bring their tumblers and regularly drink water to stay hydrated during the hot temperature)," the local government unit (LGU) said.

Based on the existing DepEd memorandum, DepEd Deputy Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary for Operations Francis Bringas explained that during unfavorable weather conditions, the school heads were instructed or given authority to suspend classes based on their “careful” consideration.

“Inaatasan natin or binibigyan natin ng authority ang ating mga school heads na mag-suspinde ng klase base sa kanilang maingat at wise discretion para masigurado na safe pa din ang ating mga mag-aaral pati na din ang ating mga guro (We instruct or give authority to our school heads to suspend classes based on their careful and wise discretion to ensure the safety of our students and teachers),” Bringas explained.

School authorities, he said, always await announcements from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) regarding the heat index in their respective areas.

“Iyon ang nagiging basehan din nila sa kanilang desisyon kung sususpindihin or hindi 'yung ating mga face-to-face classes at mag-shift na lang sa alternative or blended learning delivery mode (That has become the basis for their decision on whether to suspend our face-to-face classes and shift to alternative or blended learning delivery modes),” Bringas said.

Alternative Delivery Modes or ADMs, he explained, are “properly instituted” in schools to ensure learning continuity despite the suspension of face-to-face classes.

While DepEd’s policy on the suspension of in-person classes during adverse weather conditions covers public schools, Bringas said that affected private schools were highly encouraged to follow suit.

Although many private schools have installed air-conditioning units in their classrooms and are not as affected by this, Bringas said: “We are encouraging the private schools to do the same.”

For private schools without air-conditioning units, Bringas urged them to adhere to announcements from DepEd and their local government units (LGUs).