DepEd proposes flexible rules reducing learning losses

Education Secretary Sonny Angara will seek presidential approval for a policy framework that grants local officials and school principals greater authority to suspend or resume in-person classes based on localized ground conditions.

The proposed guidelines aim to minimize instruction disruptions caused by natural disasters and extreme weather while maintaining campus safety standards.

Under the draft order, class suspensions would operate through three tiers ­— automatic halts triggered by national hazard thresholds; municipality-wide suspensions declared by local chief executives; and campus-specific suspensions or resumptions initiated by individual school heads.

“When a hazard strikes, the safety of our students, teachers and school personnel is non-negotiable. However, every unnecessary day a classroom stays closed costs our learners their potential,” Angara said, citing that granular decision-making gives local authorities the legal backing to react to real-time hazards.

The expanded framework covers extreme heat — specifically a heat index of 40 degrees Celsius or higher — alongside heavy rainfall, flooding, typhoons, earthquakes, storm surges, poor air quality and volcanic activity.

The policy would also authorize public school principals to resume in-person instruction while a town-wide suspension remains active, provided a formal site assessment proves the campus is safe and the local mayor concurs.

Private basic education institutions would hold similar flexibility in coordination with local government units.

To maintain academic continuity during closures, the proposal mandates the use of alternative learning modalities, flexible delivery options, self-learning modules and temporary learning spaces.