Quezon City’s Schools Division Office (SDO) has adjusted its learning modality due to the persistently high heat index affecting the students, according to Mayor Joy Belmonte.
SDO superintendent Carleen Sedilla issued a memorandum order saying the adjustment was due to weather forecasts that a heat index of 40 degrees Celsius or above would be experienced in the coming days.
Belmonte said classes will shift to limited face-to-face classes once the forecast temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius or higher.
“This will give public school students ample time to complete their essential year-end activities like performance tasks and final examinations, especially now that classes are winding down,” said.
School administrators and principals are expected to devise a new schedule for the students depending on the capacity of the classrooms and schools.
Belmonte stressed that classes would shift to full face-to-face sessions if the temperature goes down to 39 degrees Celsius or lower.
“In case there’s a declaration of suspension by the Department of Education or the national government, we will implement asynchronous/synchronous mode,” she said.
Sedilla, in her order, said the parents should make the final decision on whether to allow their children to go to school or stay at home.
“If a child has a health condition or if the parents think that sending the kid to school poses health risks, the school should be informed,” she said.
“The school will then decide on the modality that best suits the learner, as the child should be given utmost consideration and necessary assistance,” she added.
The new schedule took effect on May 8 to give school heads the chance to meet their stakeholders and disseminate the adjustment in the modality.