Education Secretary Warns Against Unnecessary Class Suspensions
Education Secretary Sonny Angara urged the public to avoid pressuring local government units (LGUs) into suspending classes over minor rains. He emphasized that unnecessary class suspensions only increase students’ learning loss, a growing concern in many parts of the country.
“We also urge the public, the parents, the students: Let’s not pressure the local government and chief executives too much that we would suspend over a little rain,” Angara said in an interview. “Because if we combine all the missed days, it would be a big obstacle or hit for our students.”
Balancing Safety and Learning During Rainy Season
While acknowledging that hundreds of schools have been affected by recent bad weather, the education chief stressed the importance of continuing classes when conditions are safe. “The rain is intense so we really need to suspend [classes]. But there are times when the weather isn’t rough. We don’t need to suspend,” he explained.
Angara also highlighted the need for make-up classes to recover lost learning time. “What we emphasize here is that there must be make-up classes because the learning loss is really severe. The child would be affected if there were too many class cancellations. Saturday or after school, whenever. It depends. It also depends on the availability of the teacher,” he added.
On-the-Ground Impact and Responses
Students in flood-prone areas like Maguindanao have faced challenges attending classes, often moving to drier parts of their school grounds to continue learning. Local leaders noted that while safety remains paramount, keeping students engaged helps prevent further setbacks.
On Monday, several regions suspended afternoon classes due to rains brought by the southwest monsoon, known locally as habagat. Despite these disruptions, officials encourage communities to assess weather conditions carefully before deciding on suspensions.
Looking Ahead: Protecting Learning Continuity
With the rainy season in full swing, Angara’s message calls for a balanced approach to class suspensions—prioritizing safety without sacrificing education. Parents and students are urged to cooperate with LGUs and schools, understanding that each decision affects learners’ futures.
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