The Department of Education (DepEd) has granted school heads the authority to suspend classes on the granular level based on actual community conditions and consultations with Schools Division Superintendents (SDS) and Local Government Units (LGUs).
“This ensures that decisions are tailored strictly to affected classrooms or specific grade levels, disposing of the standard generic, division-wide ‘no classes for all’ cancellations,” the agency said in a news release on Friday.
Data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) showed that almost 30% of sophistication days in School 12 months 2023-2024 were lost because of suspensions.
Of those, 32 days were accounted for calamities, comparable to typhoons, earthquakes, and high heat indices, during April and May. 12 days were also lost to non-teaching tasks, followed by 4 local holiday suspensions, 4 days off-class activities, and someday of closure because of a conflict.
Under the Department of Education Order No. 14 s. 2026, principals, SDS, and Division Alternative Learning System Focal Points are supplied with a clearer decision-making framework for addressing classes disrupted by natural disasters and other emergencies.
“If there’s a calamity or crisis, our first query ought to be: is it secure for youngsters and teachers, and might they teach and learn?” Education Secretary Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara said in Filipino in a news release.
“We cannot expect the identical from them during normal times and once they are facing danger, fear, or loss,” he added.
The brand new guideline introduces a levels-based Learning Continuity Framework to guide schools in choosing appropriate learning responses based on the security, readiness, and condition of learners and teachers. The 4 levels are Hayo (or Proceed), Hinay (or Ease-in), Hinga (or Check-in), and Hinto (or Stop).
Proceed signals that stakeholders are secure and regular in-person learning can proceed. Meanwhile, Ease-in is applicable during slower, more flexible learning resulting from mild disruptions.
Check-in is used when well-being is prioritized and academic demands are reduced. The Stop level is for halted academic learning because of safety and basic needs risks.
The rules also set standards for emergency learning resources and experiences to sustain learning without placing unnecessary pressure on learners and teachers, including learning packets, print or digital modules, broadcast materials, family kits, check-in guides, home learning support, and emergency learning kits.
“The actual essence of learning continuity is compassion—it knows when to proceed, when to decelerate, when to examine in, and when to pause to be able to prioritize safety,” Mr. Angara said.
DepEd said the brand new policy applies to public elementary and secondary schools, DepEd-operated Community Learning Centers (CLCs), and DepEd-recognized ALS Providers.
Nonetheless, private schools, ALS providers, and basic education units of state or local universities and colleges (SUCs and LUCs) may likewise adopt it. — Almira Louise S. Martinez