Sunday, September 25, 2011

Guidelines on the Suspension of Classes When Typhoons and Other Calamities Occur

DepEd Order No. 28, s. 2005

Yearly just in time when classes are in full swing, we used to experience weather disturbances as a result of typhoons.  We used to ask ourselves if classes are suspended or not.  So, for easy access of our followers, we are posting here the DepEd Guidelines relative to it.

A.  Automatic Suspension of Classes
The Department has established guidelines for the automatic suspension or cancellation of classes in all public and private elementary and secondary schools that do not require any announcement.
  • When Signal No. 1 is raised by PAG-ASA, classes at the pre-school level shall be automatically suspended in all public and private schools.
  • When Signal No. 2 is raised by PAG-ASA, classes at the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels shall be automatically suspended in all public and private schools.  PAG-ASA normally makes these announcements over Radio/TV broadcast media 11 in the evening and 5 in the morning.
  • The  automatic  suspension of  classes  also  applies  to public school teachers  since  they  shall  be  required to  hold  make-up classes in lieu  of  the suspended  classes.  In  the  case of private schools, the suspension of work by school personnel shall be at the discretion of the school heads/directors/principals. 
     PAG-ASA normally makes these announcements over Radio/TV broadcast media 11 in the evening and 5 in the morning.  In the case of private schools, the suspension of work by school personnel shall be at the discretion of the school heads/directors/principals.

B.   Localized Suspension of Classes
In the absence of typhoon signal warnings from PAG-ASA, localized suspension or cancellation of classes in both public and private elementary and/or secondary schools in specific divisions may be implemented.

The Superintendent shall decide on the suspension of classes if such covers the entire division.  If the suspension is for specific schools only, the school principal/head shall decide on the matter.

Coordination with the local chief executives shall be undertaken at all times since they chair the local Disaster Coordinating Council (DCC) and can mobilized local government personnel to evaluate the threats to public safety such as heavy rains, earthquakes, floods, high tide and transport strikes.

As  head of the local  DCC,  local chief executives can  also decide on the suspension  of classes.  When  such  a decision  is made,  they  are  requested to inform the Superintendent and Regional Director so that the Department can helpin the dissemination of the information to the public.

C.  Parent’s Responsibilities
Parents have the ultimate responsibility for determining whether their children should go to school, even if no order for the suspension of classes has been issued, if they feel that traveling to or from school will place their children at risk. 

Parents wishing to ascertain whether or not to send their children to school should check for media advisories coming from PAG-ASA, DepEd, DCCs and the Local Government Units (LGUs).

D.  Announcements
Media outlets performing the public service of providing information on the status of classes should first of all refer to PAG-ASA and then to the offices of the DepEd, DCCs and the respective LGUs.

Parents wishing to ascertain whether or not to send their children to school should check for media advisories coming from PAG-ASA, DepEd, DCCs and the Local Government Units (LGUs).
  1. Required Number of School Days.  Parents and teachers are reminded that the required number of school days for the school year shall be considered especially in holding make-up classes to offset the days when classes are suspended.  These make-up classes shall be held on Saturdays or on weekdays beyond the originally-set school calendar in both public and private schools.
  2. School Officials/Personnel.  School officials, members of Disaster Coordinating Committees in schools designated as evacuation areas are requested to render service even when classes are suspended. They shall coordinate with the local government officials on rules orders, and guidelines prescribed for evacuation centers.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just wondering, are schools obligated to render pay to their staff when classes are suspended? Or does this depend on the school's policies?

The Learning Captain said...

I don't know or understand what you mean are schools obligated to render pay to their staff when classes are suspended? Or does this depend on the school's policies?

If it is a private school, then it might be but what we know is that private schools just adjust their school calendar.

With regards to the public school system, some schools are implementing make-up classes for the lost school days to meet the minimum yearly contact days.

Anonymous said...

I think the question pertains to whether teachers who are asked to work should be paid extra for that day even when classes have been officially suspended either by DepEd or the City/LGU. Some private schools still ask their teachers to show up for work even though classes have been officially suspended.

The Learning Captain said...

I don't think they should be paid extra hence there is already no classes.

Even in public, teachers are still asked to stay except when storm signal reached signal no. 3.

Those who are travelling are likewise exempted depending on the situation in the locality.