Sunday, August 19, 2007 Metro league mulls fixed time for announcement on class suspension
TO AVOID a repeat of last week’s blunder in the issuance of announcement on the suspension of classes due to bad weather, the League of Mayors in Metro Manila has proposed to fix at 5 a.m. when such announcements should be made.
The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) will revise the protocol in declaring suspension of classes where the NDCC chairman or a deputized representative is authorized to make the announcement.
The announcement, in turn, will be based on a recommendation from the Pag-asa.
Parents and students criticized the Department of Education (DepEd) for issuing at 9 a.m. an advisory on the suspension of classes as heavy monsoon rains battered the metropolis and caused flooding in several areas and monstrous traffic jams.
Education Undersecretary Vilma Labrador earlier said it’s not only the responsibility of the education department and the Pagasa to assess and declare a suspension of classes in affected municipalities during inclement weather but also the responsibility of the local authorities.
A meeting was held earlier between the DepEd, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), and metro mayors wherein an agreement on giving local government units (LGUs), a direct hand in suspending classes during weather inclement was reached.
Education Seretary Jesli Lapus said the ultimate responsibility in determining whether or not their children should go to school is given to the parents. “We recognize the need to protect our students from the ill effects of bad weather but we also want to minimize the disruption of classes so that our students can spend more time in school. This policy gives a clear direction in cases where there is no typhoon warning issued by the Pagasa by allowing the local authorities and parents to handle the situation in their respective areas,” he said. (AH/Sunnex)
