DepEd warns vs prolonged suspension of onsite classes

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday cautioned local government units (LGUs) against prolonged suspension of face-to-face classes, warning that it could disrupt students’ learning and development.

The statement came after Laguna Gov. Sol Aragones ordered the suspension of in-person classes in all levels, both public and private, in the province from Oct. 14 to 31 due to the possibility of a strong earthquake.

DepEd chief media relations officer Dennis Legaspi said that while the department respects the authority of LGUs to suspend classes for public safety, such decisions should be made “with balance and prudence.”

“While caution is important, extended suspensions can disrupt learning and affect students’ development. Every decision should reflect both care for safety and commitment to learning continuity,” Legaspi said.

He added that DepEd will coordinate with concerned schools division offices to ensure that alternative delivery modes are provided to affected learners.

Legaspi also urged local governments to “periodically assess whether the suspension is still necessary for public safety.”

The United Nations Children’s Fund earlier warned of a “real and widespread learning crisis” in the Philippines, noting that a vast majority of students are falling behind in reading and mathematics.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Teresito Bacolcol reiterated that earthquakes cannot be predicted.

“We understand the concern for public safety, but Phivolcs would like to clarify that earthquakes cannot be predicted. There is currently no technology anywhere in the world that can determine exactly when or where a quake will occur,” Bacolcol said.

Amid the 18-day suspension, the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) has asked the provincial government to allow the university to continue essential face-to-face academic activities.

In a memorandum, UPLB said that scheduled examinations, laboratory classes, fieldwork, clinical and internship rotations, human kinetics courses, exchange student activities and other tasks that cannot be effectively conducted online or through modules shall proceed as scheduled since they require physical participation.

The university also directed unit heads to strictly implement safety protocols, including building inspections, emergency preparedness measures and compliance with disaster risk reduction guidelines to protect students, faculty and staff.

Flu break in Rizal

Aside from Laguna, Rizal has also suspended face-to-face classes in all levels, both public and private, from Oct. 14 to 17 due to an increase in flu-like illnesses.

“The purpose of this is to ensure the safety and health of our learners and teachers amid the rise in influenza-like illnesses,” Rizal Gov. Nina Ynares explained.

Classes will shift to modular distance learning during the suspension period.

Teachers want health break

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has asked Education Secretary Sonny Angara to declare a health break for public school teachers from Oct. 27 to 30.

In a letter to Angara, ACT chairperson Ruby Bernardo cited overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated facilities, teacher shortages and added workload from the ARAL Program as factors straining teachers’ well-being.

Pointing to the impact of recent floods, typhoons and earthquakes, Bernardo said the proposed break – coinciding with students’ mid-year break – would allow teachers to rest, recover and engage in professional development activities such as learning action cells and in-service training.

She added that the pause would also give local governments and school administrators time to inspect facilities for damage or structural risks caused by recent seismic events.

“In upholding teachers’ right to rest and well-being, the department reinforces the foundation of inclusive, resilient and quality education,” Bernardo said.

DepEd partners with Phivolcs

In a related development, DepEd has strengthened its partnership with Phivolcs to ensure that class suspension decisions are guided by scientific data, localized risk assessments and safety standards.

Angara said the collaboration aims to balance learner and personnel protection with the goal of sustaining education amid emergencies.

He emphasized that decisions on suspensions and resumptions should be based on science, not fear.

DepEd is working with the Department of Science and Technology to ensure schools near fault lines are “over-engineered” to withstand strong earthquakes.

Training programs with Phivolcs are also being planned for regional and field offices to assess building integrity and manage response actions.

Angara added that the department is eyeing the establishment of a DepEd command center to monitor disaster response and early warnings.

DepEd and Phivolcs also committed to improving coordination in releasing science-based advisories and information materials to prevent misinformation during crises.

“Preparedness must go hand in hand with learning continuity,” Angara stressed.

Under DepEd Order 22, s. 2024, the authority to suspend classes rests with local executives, schools division superintendents and school heads, who must base their decisions on Phivolcs advisories, field conditions and readiness to resume learning.

Preventive suspensions should activate learning continuity plans, such as modular, online or take-home learning, while safety inspections are ongoing.