BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Due to the hot weather in Negros Occidental, several schools in Cadiz City switched to blended learning. Several students fell ill due to the high heat index.
Some experienced epistaxis or nosebleeding, and dizziness, according to Arlene Bermejo, superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Schools Division of Cadiz City.
The schools hold normal classes in the morning and switch to blended learning in the afternoon, Bermejo said in an interview with Bombo Radyo-Bacolod.
Schools in the hinterlands of the city, meanwhile, said temperatures are still suitable for face-to-face classes.
Bermejo said students are now being told to drink water every 30 minutes, as well as bring wet towel to wipe themselves.
Classroom windows must also be opened for additional ventilation.
Earlier this month, a local teachers federation in Bacolod City joined calls to return to the previous April to May school break after receiving complaints from students and parents over the uncomfortable conditions brought by the high temperatures.
Richard Gelangre, president of the Bacolod City Public School Teachers Federation, said it is not only the students now who are complaining of the uncomfortable heat. Some teaching staff joined in and even pointed out that their students are unable to focus on their studies.
The calls for a return to the previous June to March academic period stemmed over an incident in Calamba, Laguna last month. Several students were hospitalized after suffering from heat exhaustion during a fire drill.
Meanwhile, DepEd-Negros Occidental spokesperson Ian Arnold Arnaiz admitted that classrooms in the province lack additional electric fans that would help cool down students.
He said at least two additional electric fans for 45 students for a standard classroom are needed.
Arnaiz is hoping that consideration would be given to the request made by various sectors to revert to the old school calendar, although the decision would be up to the higher ups in the DepEd.
Based on the DepEd’s guidelines, the school year has been extended for another week with the graduation ceremonies to be held from July 10 to 14, 2023./PN
