The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday recommended allowing schools the flexibility to shift to online classes whenever the government announces a suspension.
The DILG proposed this as the “best compromise” after the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) issued a statement addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., criticizing the impact of the department’s “blanket” and “automatic” class suspension orders on the continuity of education during adverse weather conditions.
“Our advisories on the suspension of classes during adverse weather conditions are issued precisely to mitigate risks to life, ensure safety in local communities, and help families and schools make timely decisions. These announcements are not intended to disrupt learning but to protect the most vulnerable during emergencies,” the DILG said in a statement released on Tuesday night.
“We also recognize that private schools are not privy to the latest weather forecast models of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC),” it added.
The DILG emphasized that it is the NDRRMC that makes recommendations on class suspensions based on the latest data and hazard monitoring, clarifying that its role, along with the Interior Secretary, is to communicate and implement these recommendations in coordination with local governments.
The Interior Department likewise acknowledged the efforts of schools and local government units (LGUs) to adopt flexible learning modalities that sustain education even during disruptions, while affirming its own readiness to coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd), LGUs, and private educational institutions to “balance safety with continuity of learning.”
“Protecting students and preserving their right to education are not opposing goals. They go hand in hand. Timely decisions save lives, while coordination and preparedness ensure that learning continues,” the DILG concluded.
