ILOILO City – With the raising of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 over Panay Island and the northern part of Negros Occidental due to Tropical Storm “Kristine”, all in-person classes in public schools were automatically suspended yesterday, October 23.
This shift to the Blended Learning Delivery Modality (BLDM) followed Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 27 issued in 2022, and DepEd Order 009, Series of 2024.
According to DepEd-6 Regional Information Officer Hernani Escullar Jr., the guidelines in Section IV of DepEd Order 37 outline that in-person and online classes, as well as work from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System (ALS) programs, are automatically canceled in areas placed under TCWS 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Escullar further explained that if a TCWS is issued after classes have already started, schools are required to immediately suspend operations and send everyone home, provided it is safe to travel.
If travel is unsafe, schools must ensure the safety of students and staff by keeping them within the premises.
In cases where strong winds are observed but no official TCWS has been issued, Local Chief Executives (LCEs) have the authority to decide whether to suspend or cancel classes in specific areas within their jurisdiction.
With in-person classes suspended due to the storm, Escullar highlighted that the provisions in DepEd Order 009, Series of 2024, apply. This order mandates that in the event of class suspension due to disasters or emergencies, schools must shift to BLDM.
Teachers are tasked with providing home learning activities tailored to the needs of the students and the severity of the situation in their areas.
Schools are required to distribute print and digital self-learning modules (SLMs) and home learning plans to ensure students can continue their education at home.
The School Division Office (SDO) is responsible for ensuring that schools comply with the blended learning guidelines during the suspension of in-person classes.
According to DepEd-6, a total of 4,057 schools, comprising 1,725,866 learners from Panay Island and the northern part of Negros Occidental, are affected by the suspension of in-person classes yesterday.
Here’s the breakdown of schools and learners affected by the suspension of in-person asses per SDO:
* SDO Cadiz City – 69 schools, 41,697 learners
* SDO Capiz – 471 schools, 114,809 learners
* SDO Escalante City – 41 schools, 26,287 learners
* SDO Negros Occidental – 576 schools, 292,442 learners
* SDO Bacolod City – 69 schools, 112,321 learners
* SDO Silay City – 39 schools, 32,295 learners
* SDO Iloilo – 1,172 schools, 428,179 learners
* SDO Kabankalan City – 91 schools, 56,474 learners
* SDO San Carlos City – 65 schools, 30,182 learners
* SDO Antique – 541 schools 142,806 learners
* SDO Himamaylan City – 54 schools, 27,520 learners
* SDO Roxas City – 50 schools, 37,436 learners
* SDO Iloilo City – 66 schools, 77,656 learners
* SDO Aklan – 379 schools, 123,229 learners
* SDO Victorias City – 26 schools, 15,427 learners
* SDO Sipalay City – 48 schools, 9,320 learners
* SDO La Carlota City – 30 schools, 17,642 learners
* SDO Bago City – 44 schools, 36,700 learners
* SDO Sagay City – 66 schools, 38,057 learners
* SDO Guimaras – 115 schools, 44,565 learners
* SDO Passi City – 45 schools, 20,792 learners/PN
