WITH the heat index expected to soar as the country enters the dry season, the Department of Education (DepEd) is considering adjusting the class schedules and shifting to remote learning to protect students from extreme temperatures.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara outlined several measures to ensure the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and school personnel.
These include additional water and rest breaks and providing more classroom electric fans to help combat the heat.
On Sunday, the weather bureau reported a sudden spike in the heat index across Metro Manila and Luzon, reaching the danger level of 42 to 51 degrees Celsius, prompting several areas to suspend onsite classes on Monday and Tuesday.
Forecasters warn that temperatures may continue to rise in the coming weeks.
The heat index represents the apparent temperature, or how hot it actually feels based on the combination of air temperature and humidity. With face-to-face classes at risk, local governments have already started suspending in-person learning to prevent heat-related illnesses.