WITH the official start of the rainy season, the Department of Education (DepEd) issued the guidelines for the suspension of classes for the safety and welfare of students, teachers and government workers, in times of weather disturbances and calamities.

DepEd Order No. 43 s. 2012 contains the guidelines on the implementation of Executive Order No. 66. titled “Prescribing Rules on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices Due to Typhoons, Flooding, Other Weather Disturbances and Calamities.” This covers the safety measures that must be followed by schools during weather related calamities.

The EO mandates public and private school officials to observe the weather bulletins of the Philippine Atmospheric Geographical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and maintain communication with the local government unit (LGU) and the Local, Regional and National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (DRRMC) for updates during calamities.

According to the EO, cancellation of classes will depend on the signal number raised by the Pagasa. During signal number 1, preschool and kindergarten classes will be suspended. For signal number 2, elementary and high schools classes will be suspended and when warning signal number 3, all government offices shall be closed. But in cases where there is no typhoon signal warnings from Pagasa, the cancellation of classes may be ordered by the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. But school officials can suspend classes in cases where urgent action is needed.

The EO assigns the local government unit to announce class suspensions not later than 4:30 a.m. for the morning classes and not later than 11:00 a.m. for afternoon classes. Suspension of classes the following day will depend on the signal number declared at 10 p.m. and 4:30 a.m.

School officials and members of the different DRRRMCs are requested to render service in the designated evacuation centers.

The EO also recognizes the responsibility of the parents who have the ultimate responsibility to decide whether to let their children attend school, even if there are no issued class suspensions. (Emma Guillermo/ MMSU intern)