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DepEd releases new class suspension guidelines during typhoon, heavy rainfall, flood, and earthquake






The Department of Education (DepEd) has released a new set of guidelines on the cancellation or suspension of classes and work in schools in the event of disasters and other natural calamities in the country.





DepEd Order No. 37 series of 2022 signed by Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte on September 1 aims to lessen the unnecessary health and safety risks students and school personnel may face during disasters and calamities. This is a revision of the DepEd Order No. 43 released in 2012 wherein suspension of classes at different levels varies as the typhoon signal number issued by PAGASA escalates.




New Class Suspension Guidelines (2022)

Effective immediately after publication on the DepEd website e as well as its filing with the Office of the National Administrative Registrar (ONAR) at the University of the Philippines (UP) Law Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City, the following are the new guidelines on class and work suspension during typhoons, heavy rainfall, flood, and earthquakes.

Typhoon

  • In-person and online classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System (ALS) are automatically cancelled in Local Government Units (LGUs) issued with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) 1,2,3,4 or 5 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
  • If the TCWS is issued at a time when classes have begun, the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home if it is safe to do so. If traveling has become unsafe, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel safely in school.
  • In cases where there are strong winds in specific or all areas of the LGU but are not due to a typhoon, Local Chief Executives shall decide on the cancellation and suspension of classes.





Heavy rainfall

  • In-person and online classes Kindergarten to Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System (ALS) are automatically cancelled in Local Government Units (LGUs) issued with Orange and Red rainfall warning by the PAGASA.
  • If the warning is issued at a time when classes have begun, the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home if it is safe to do so. If traveling has become unsafe, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel safely in school.
  • In cases where there are torrential rains in specific or all areas of the LGU but is not issued a heavy rainfall alert by PAGASA, Local Chief Executives shall decide on the cancellation and suspension of classes.





Flood

  • In-person and online classes Kindergarten to Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System (ALS) are automatically cancelled in Local Government Units (LGUs) issued with a Flood warning by the PAGASA.
  • If the flood warning is issued at a time when classes have begun, the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home if it is safe to do so. If traveling has become unsafe, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel safely in school.
  • In cases where there is flooding in specific or all areas of the LGU but is not issued a flood warning by PAGASA, Local Chief Executives shall decide on the cancellation and suspension of classes.





Earthquakes

  • In-person and online classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System (ALS) are automatically cancelled in LGUs issued where the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) declares an earthquake with PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) V or above.
  • In cases where the PEIS is IV and below, Local Chief Executives shall decide on the cancellation and suspension of classes.
  • If in their assessment, buildings and other structures are seen to be in danger of collapsing or are found to have major damage, school principals can cancel at any intensity scale.
  • The School Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Team Head should clear the return of students and personnel in buildings and other structures.





Power Outages/ Power Interruptions/Brownouts

  • There will be no automatic cancellation or suspension of classes in the event that there are power outages/power interruptions/brownouts in schools.
  • School officials can cancel or suspend classes at their own discretion if power outages/power interruptions/brownouts have resulted to poor learning environment.





Who are covered by the Order

According to the DO, the guidelines shall be observed at all levels of governance within:

  • Department of Education (Central Office, Regional, Division, and
    School) for all teaching and non-teaching personnel.
  • Learners under the jurisdiction of the DepEd in public schools.
  • NOTE: Private schools and community learning centers, as well as state/local universities and colleges (SUCs/LUCs) have the option to abide by the provisions of this DO.

SOURCE: DepEd Order No. 037, s. 2022



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