Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 25) — A teachers’ group on Tuesday urged the government to implement adjustments to lessen the impact of the hot weather on students and teachers.
While the implementation of face-to-face classes should continue, Teacher’s Dignity Coalition National Chairperson Benjo Basas told CNN Philippines’ The Source that authorities can shorten class hours to ensure students are still protected from the heat.
“Sa tingin namin kailangan pa rin na mayroon tayong face-to-face. Kung hindi po talaga kaya ng full face-to-face natin, pwede namang i-reduce ang oras o gawin ito sa mga oras na hindi pa masyadong mainit like 6 to 9 in the morning,” he said.
[Translation: We think there is still a need for face-to-face classes. If full face-to-face classes cannot be implemented, we can reduce the number of hours or we can do it when it’s not so hot like 6 to 9 in the morning.]
On Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government is studying the return to the old June-to-March school calendar amid the hot weather which has affected students’ learning.
Education spokesperson Michael Poa told CNN Philippines that the department has authorized school heads to suspend in-person classes and implement alternative learning to ensure the safety of learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel.
Aside from adjusting the class schedule, Basas said authorities can also implement short-term solutions, like the deployment of more electric fans.
For a more strategic approach, the government should address congestion in classrooms by allocating funds to build more classrooms and hire more teachers, he said.
Based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s five-day forecast, the heat index is seen to breach 40° C in some parts of the country.
