Owing to the suspension of classes due to recurring typhoons, a Department of Education (DepEd) executive on Tuesday reminded local schools to schedule makeup classes on Saturdays or shift to distance learning if needed.DepEd-Region 1 Dir. Tolentino Aquino, in an interview by journalists Tuesday, said “make-up classes are conducted by schools to help the students catch up with the lessons that they have missed due to suspended school days.’He explained that makeup classes are usually held at the end of the school year since there are 20 buffer days in the school calendar.However, some schools conduct makeup classes depending on the local situation, he said.While bracing for Typhoon Jenny, classes in primary and secondary schools in the province of Ilocos Norte were again suspended on Tuesday.On Monday afternoon, several students from parts of Ilocos Norte under wind signal no.1 were sent home early in anticipation of heavy rains on their way home.Aquino said Ilocos Norte schools may opt for modular distan
ce learning, which some schools in the region practice during non-stop rains or during hot summer days.”Since we are obliged to complete the 180 days non-negotiable school days every year, we need to make the necessary adjustments,’ he said.The Education Department maintains that the existing policy on suspension of classes remains the same based on prevailing policy.Under Executive Order No. 66 Series of 2012, local chief executives have the authority to declare class suspension based on the situation in their areas of responsibility.DepEd Order No. 37, series of 2022 also mandates the automatic suspension of classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and the alternative learning system (ALS) depending on the typhoon wind signals raised by the estate-run weather bureau in an area.If classes have started before the wind signals were issued, ‘the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home, if it is safe to do so.”However, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel sa
fely in school if travelling has become unsafe,’ the DepEd Order added.
Source: Philippines News Agency