DepEd’s heat edict slammed ‘superficial’

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines criticized the Marcos government for easing school uniform requirements amid the looming Super El Niño instead of addressing overcrowded classrooms and inadequate ventilation that leave teachers and learners exposed to extreme heat.

ACT accused the Marcos administration and the Department of Education (DepEd) of relying on superficial measures instead of addressing longstanding deficiencies that leave public schools ill-equipped to withstand extreme heat and other climate-related hazards.

“Overcrowded classrooms have been a problem for years. Even ventilation is funded through contributions from parents and money taken from teachers’ own pockets,” ACT chairperson Ruby Bernardo said in a statement.

“Making uniforms sleeveless is a senseless remedy if nothing changes in hot, overcrowded and dilapidated classrooms,” she added, comparing the measure to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s proposed “epic pail” solution to the looming El Niño.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara earlier announced that public school students would no longer be required to wear uniforms as temperatures rise, allowing them to attend classes in sleeveless shirts or other informal clothing deemed appropriate for school.

“Uniforms are no longer required. Informal clothing is allowed; students can just wear sleeveless shirts or anything, as long as it is somewhat decent. We are no longer strict about uniforms because we know it is hot inside classrooms,” Angara told reporters on Friday.

Angara also said DepEd was looking into installing more solar panels in public schools to help keep classrooms cooler during periods of extreme heat.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said on 23 September that a very strong El Niño was expected to persist through the first half of 2027, bringing warmer temperatures and below-normal rainfall across the country, although periods of heavy rain could still occur.