New DepEd Class Suspension Guidelines (Order No. 37 S. 2022)

The Department of Education (DepEd) issued guidelines on the cancellation or suspension of classes and work in schools in the event of Natural Disasters, Power Outages/Power Interruptions, and other Calamities under DepEd Order No. 37, Series of 2022.

This policy promotes the safety and protection and guidance of both private and public institutions, learners and personnels against danger due to natural disasters and calamities, ensuring their constitutional rights to life, health, safety, and property are always protected.

DepEd Order No. 37 series 2022

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Here are the guidelines with regards to typhoon; In-person, online classes and work from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System (ALS) are automatically cancelled in schools situated in Local Government Units (LGUs) issued with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) 1, 2, 3 ,4 or 5 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

You can get the latest weather updates and reports from PAGASA.

If the TCWS is issued at a time when classes have already begun, the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home, if it is safe to do so.

However, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel safely in school if travelling has become unsafe.

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1. Typhoon

Automatic Class Cancellation when there's a typhoon

In-person and online classes at all levels are automatically canceled in schools situated in Local Government Units (LGUs) issued with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) 1, 2, 3,4, or 5 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

If the TCWS is issued at a time when classes have already begun, the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home if it is safe to do so. However, schools must keep students and personnel safe in school if traveling has become unsafe.

Local Chief Executives shall decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes in cases where there are strong winds in specific or all areas of the LGU but is not due to a typhoon.

2. Heavy Rainfall

Automatic Class Cancellation during Heavy Rainfall

In-person and online classes at all levels are automatically canceled in schools situated in LGUs issued with Yellow, Orange, and Red Rainfall Warnings by the PAGASA.

If the Warning is issued when classes have already begun, the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home if it is safe to do so. However, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel safely in school if traveling has become unsafe.

Local Chief Executives shall decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes in cases where there are torrential rains in specific or all areas of the LGU but is not issued a Heavy Rainfall Alert by PAGASA.

3. Flood

Class Cancellation when there’s a Flood

In-person and online classes in all levels are automatically canceled in schools situated in LGUs issued with a Flood Warning by the PAGASA.

If the Flood Warning is issued at a time when classes have already begun, the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home, if it is safe to do so. However, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel safely in school if traveling has become unsafe.

Local Chief Executives shall decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes in cases where there is flooding in specific or all areas of the LGU but is not issued a Flood Warning by PAGASA.

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4. Earthquakes

Class Suspension / Earthquake

In-person and online classes in all levels are automatically canceled in schools situated in LGUs where the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) declares an earthquake with PHILVOCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) V or above.

Local Chief Executives shall decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes in cases where the PEIS is IV and below.

School Principals can cancel classes at any Intensity Scale if in their assessment, building and other structures are seen to be in danger of collapsing or is found to have major damage.

The School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Team Head should clear the return of students and personnel in buildings and other structures.

READ: Best Tips Before, During and After Earthquake

5. Power Outages/ Power Interruptions/ Brownouts

Class Suspension during Power Outages

There will be no automatic cancellation or suspension of classes if there are power outages/power interruptions/brownouts in schools. If power outages/power interruptions and brownouts have resulted in a poor learning environment, school officials can cancel or suspend classes at their discretion.

6. Adjustments to Learning Delivery Due to Suspensions/Cancellations of Classes

If canceled or suspended classes occur, distance learning or make-up classes shall be implemented to ensure that learning competencies and objectives are still met.

In adherence to the provision of DepEd Order No. 14, s. 2021, learners who miss learning activities due to class suspensions brought about by various disruptions like disasters and/or emergencies due to natural or human-induced hazards shall be accorded due consideration in the completion of their learning tasks.

7. Maintenance of Workforce and Activation of DRRM Teams

Teaching school personnel, including ALS teachers, and non-teaching school personnel in schools, Division Offices, Regional Offices, and the Central Office, shall not be required to report to work, except those who are mandated to render security, safety, finance, engineering, sanitation, health, and disaster response duties.

Schools, on the other hand, must always be ready to implement remote work with measured output.

Central, Regional, and Schools Division Offices and schools shall activate their DRRM Teams to prepare, monitor, and respond to the situation. DRRM Team members, particularly DRRM Coordinators and Engineers, shall be required to report to work in the aftermath of the disaster to continue undertaking response, early recovery, and reporting based on established DRRM protocols (e.g., an inspection of school facilities to vet damages as reported by School DRRM Coordinators, detailed assessment of damaged facilities for purposes of developing the Program of Works for infrastructure costing in rehabilitation and recovery plans, and participation in coordination meetings with LDRRMCs). Other DRRM Team members may likewise be required to report to work as needed.

Officials of private schools shall exercise discretion relative to the work arrangement of their DRRM personnel.

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8. Use of schools as Evacuation Center or COVID-19 Quarantine and/or Isolation Facility/Vaccination Center

Schools shall not be used as quarantine and/ or isolation facilities or vaccination centers. The authority given to Regional Directors in allowing schools to be designated as quarantine and/or isolation facilities/ vaccination centers under Office Memorandum OM-Osec-2020-004 (Guidance to Regional Directors for Action Requests by Local Government Units to Use DepEd Schools and Engage DepEd Personnel in Activities Related to COVID-19), is hereby lifted. Office Memorandum OM-OSEC- 2021-03-003 (Use of DepEd Classrooms and Other Facilities as Vaccination Centers) is likewise hereby repealed.

In other disasters, schools may be used as an immediate evacuation site that should not last more than fifteen days. LGUs should not use schools as long-term shelters for evacuees.

9. Conduct of Psychological First Aid

As the maintenance of a conducive learning environment requires addressing the immediate needs of affected learners and personnel in the aftermath of disasters, all Schools Division Offices, with the support of Regional Offices, shall assess Mental Health and Psychosocial Support needs and services and lead the conduct of Psychological First Aid (PFA). This shall include the mobilization of trained PFA providers and partners and if needed, referral pathways for learners and personnel identified for further specialized psychological support services. Required health standards shall always be applied.

10. Responsibility of Parents or Guardians

The DepEd still maintains that parents or guardians are responsible for determining whether their children should attend classes considering their physical and/or mental health during disasters and calamities. This applies even if no order for cancellation or suspension of classes has been issued.

However, it is also the responsibility of the parents or guardians to ensure that their child can catch up with the needed competencies that the learners should master.

For more information, read DO 37, s. 2022: https://bit.ly/DEPEDOR37