The Department of Education (DepEd) issued guidelines on the cancellation or suspension of classes and work in schools in the event of Natural Disasters, Power Outages/Power Interruptions, and other Calamities under DepEd Order No. 37, Series of 2022.
This policy promotes the safety and protection and guidance of both private and public institutions, learners and personnels against danger due to natural disasters and calamities, ensuring their constitutional rights to life, health, safety, and property are always protected.
Here are the guidelines with regards to typhoon; In-person, online classes and work from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System (ALS) are automatically cancelled in schools situated in Local Government Units (LGUs) issued with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) 1, 2, 3 ,4 or 5 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
If the TCWS is issued at a time when classes have already begun, 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 safely in school if travelling has become unsafe.
Local Chief Executives shall decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes in cases where there are strong winds in specific or all areas of the LGU but is not issued a TCWS.
For the occurrence of Heavy Rainfalls, In-person, online classes and work from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System (ALS) are automatically cancelled in schools situated in LGUs issued with Orange and Red Rainfall Warning by the PAGASA.
If the Warning is issued at a time when classes have already begun, 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 safely in school if travelling has become unsafe the local Chief Executives shall decide on the cancellation or suspension of
classes if their LGU is issued a Yellow Rainfall Warning by PAGASA or in cases where there are torrential rains in specific or all areas of the LGU but is not issued an Alert by PAGASA.
In the event of Flooding, In-person, online classes and work from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and
Alternative Learning System (ALS) are automatically cancelled in schools in specific areas issued with a Flood Warning by the PAGASA.
If the Flood Warning is issued at a time when classes have already begun, 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 safely in school if travelling has become unsafe.
Local Chief Executives shall decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes in cases where there is flooding in specific or all areas of the LGU but is not issued a Flood Warning by PAGASA.
The guidelines shall be observed in all schools under DepEd for all teaching and non-teaching personnel, and covers all the learners under the jurisdiction of DepEd in public schools.
Private schools and community learning centers, as well as state/local universities and colleges (SUCs/LGUs) have the option to abide by the provision of this order.
Link to the full DepED guidelines:
https://bit.ly/DEPEDOR37
(Source: Bacolod Public Information Office)