DepEd reiterates policy on suspension of classes

By INA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

July 13, 2010, 1:52pm

The Department of Education (DepEd) reiterated its policy on the suspension of classes during
inclement weather in elementary and secondary levels in all public schools nationwide and also
released the list of provinces where schools can automatically suspend classes based on typhoon
signals due to Typhoon Basyang.

According to Education Secretary Armin Luistro, localized suspension of classes has been
implemented as soon as storm signals were declared by Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on the evening of July 12. “Local government
and DepEd officials may suspend classes depending on local situation,” he said.

Based on DepEd’s existing guidelines on the automatic suspension of classes, there will be no
classes in all public and private pre-schools in provinces including Albay, Marinduque,
Batangas, Cavite, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Mt.
Province, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga Apayao, Abra, Cagayan, Ifugao and Abra because Typhoon Signal
No. 1, with 30-60 kph winds, was raised. The DepEd regional director in Metro Manila also
suspended classes in pre-school and elementary levels.

Meanwhile, all classes in public and private pre-school, elementary and secondary schools are
also automatically suspended because Signal No. 2, with 60-100 kph winds, was declared in
Aurora, Camarines Sur, Southern Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya,
Quirino, Ifugao and Isabela.

All classes in Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Northern Quezon, and Polillo Island were also
suspended automatically when Signal No.3, 100-185 kph winds, was declared.

Based on DepEd Order No. 28, series of 2005, in the absence of typhoon signal warnings from
PAGASA, “localized suspension or cancellation of classes in both public and private elementary
and/or secondary schools in specific divisions may be implemented by local DepEd officials, in
coordination with the local chief executives.”

Luistro said that coordination with the local chief executives shall be undertaken at all times
since they chair the local Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and “can mobilize local
government personnel to evaluate the threats to public safety, especially to students.”

He also reminded that there is a great need for concerned agencies to execute prompt decision to
ensure the safety of the general public, especially of the students. “Now that the rainy season is
here, we must do our best to protect our students from possible harm caused by heavy rains or
flooded streets,” he said.
The DepEd Order No. 81, s. 2010, released on June 16, to all undersecretaries, assistant
secretaries, bureau directors, directors of services, centers and heads of units, regional directors,
schools division/city superintendents, and heads of all public and elementary secondary schools,
stated that in order to improve the coordination among agencies concerned, particularly in the
announcement and dissemination to the general public on information related, “concerned
agencies are advised to adhere to the procedure described in the process flow for suspension of
classes during inclement weather.”

In the process flow for suspension of classes released by NDCC through Memorandum No. 07, s.
2006, it is stated that once advisory is released by the PAGASA, NDCC shall make an
endorsement to DepEd and CHED before they can release memo circulars on suspension of
classes.

The Order also stated that aside from PAGSASA and NDCC, all concerned agencies should
“announce suspension of classes and work in government offices not later that 10:00 p.m. the
previous day to give the public enough time to prepare.”

According to DepEd, the suspension of classes in private schools in all levels depends on the
school administration while Local Government Units can suspend classes immediately when the
need arises. “We do not have jurisdiction over tertiary schools, and as such, suspension
guidelines for the tertiary level are referred to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),”
Luistro said.

DepEd said that the automatic suspension of classes is applicable to all public and private
schools at the pre-school level when PAGASA has announced typhoon “Signal No. 1” while
classes can be automatically suspended in all public and private schools at the pre-school,
elementary and secondary levels when the typhoon has been raised to “Signal No. 2”.

According to DepEd, DepEd officials including the regional director, division superintendent,
and school principal may also assess the situation in their respective areas and may declare the
suspension of classes if needed. “However, the ultimate responsibility for determining whether
or not their children should go to school is given to the parents,” Luistro ended.

For clarifications on the suspension of classes and other related concerns, the public may call the
DepEd hotline (02) 636 16 63 / 631 60 33.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has a policy on the suspension of classes during
inclement weather (typhoons/storms) in private and public schools nationwide via DepEd Order
No. 28 series of 2005 and DEPED Order No. 50 s. 2007 with NDCC Memorandum No. 7 s.
2006. Read on and be informed.
DepEd Order No. 28 series of 2005: GUIDELINES ON THE SUSPENSION OF CLASSES
WHEN TYPHOONS AND OTHER CALAMITIES OCCUR

 Storm warning signal number 1: Classes in pre-school level in all public and private
schools will be automatically suspended.
 Storm warning signal number 2: Classes in pre-school, elementary and high school in all
public and private schools will be automatically suspended.
 Storm warning signal number 3: Classes in all levels are automatically suspended.
 Storm warning signal number 4: All travel and outdoor activities are cancelled.
 In the absence of typhoon signal warnings from PAGASA, localized suspension of
classes in both public and private schools at the pre-school, elementary and secondary
levels can be decided by the local authorities, including the DEPED regional director,
DEPED division superintendent, school principal or local government officials
concerned;
 The ultimate responsibility for determining whether or not their children should go to
school is given to the PARENTS.

NDCC MEMORANDUM NO. 07 s. 2006 (Amended by NDCC MEMORANDUM NO. 9 s.

2007)

 The Chairman, NDCC or the NDCC Executive Officer or their duly designated
representatives shall announce the suspension of classes based on DOST-PAGASA
recommendation before 10:00 PM the previous day.
 In case there are no announcements made by the NDCC, city/municipal mayor and/or
local chief executives within their AORs (area of responsibility), DepEd and CHED can
make the appropriate announcements based on their respective mandates and guidelines.
 For the suspension of work in government offices, the Office of the President through the
Executive Secretary shall make the announcement based on the Chairman, NDCC's
recommendatio

DEPED GUIDELINES ON SUSPENSION OF CLASSES

The Department of Education (DepEd) has a policy on the suspension of classes during
inclement weather (typhoons/storms) in private and public schools nationwide via DepEd Order
No. 28 series of 2005 and DEPED Order No. 50 s. 2007 with NDCC Memorandum No. 7 s.
2006. Read on and be informed.

DepEd Order No. 28 series of 2005: GUIDELINES ON THE SUSPENSION OF CLASSES

WHEN TYPHOONS AND OTHER CALAMITIES OCCUR

Automatic suspension of classes

 Signal No. 1 : All public and private schools at the pre-school level
 Signal No. 2 : All public and private schools at the pre-school, elementary and secondary
levels
 DepEd does not have jurisdiction over TERTIARY SCHOOLS, and as such, suspension
guidelines for the tertiary level are referred to the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED)

Localized suspension of classes

 In the absence of typhoon signal warnings from PAGASA, localized suspension of

classes in both public and private schools at the pre-school, elementary and secondary
levels can be decided by the local authorities, including the DEPED regional director,
DEPED division superintendent, school principal or local government officials
concerned;
 The ultimate responsibility for determining whether or not their children should go to
school is given to the PARENTS.

NDCC MEMORANDUM NO. 07 s. 2006 (Amended by NDCC MEMORANDUM NO. 9 s.

2007)

 The Chairman, NDCC or the NDCC Executive Officer or their duly designated
representatives shall announce the suspension of classes based on DOST-PAGASA
recommendation before 10:00 PM the previous day.
 In case there are no announcements made by the NDCC, city/municipal mayor and/or
local chief executives within their AORs (area of responsibility), DepEd and CHED can
make the appropriate announcements based on their respective mandates and guidelines.
 For the suspension of work in government offices, the Office of the President through the
Executive Secretary shall make the announcement based on the Chairman, NDCC's
recommendation.

Source: http://www.coolbuster.net/2010/07/deped-guidelines-on-suspension-
of.html#ixzz0u5oB0dCa
DepEd bares guidelines for suspension of classes during typhoons
Iloilo City (11 August) -- What would guide elementary and secondary schools in the suspension
of classes should typhoons and other calamities occur?

Based on the Department of Education (DepEd)Order No. 28 s. 2005 known as the Guidelines
on the suspension of classes when typhoons and other calamities occur signed by former
Education Secretary Florencio Abad dated June 3, 2005, classes are automatically suspended at
the pre-school level when signal No.1 is raised by PAG-ASA while classes at the pre-school,
elementary, and secondary in all public and private schools shall also be automatically suspended
when signal no. 2 is raised.

PAG-ASA normally makes these announcements over the broadcast media at 11 p.m. in the
evening and 5 a.m. in the morning.

The DepEd guidelines further states that 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.

However, in the absence of typhoon signal warnings from PAG-ASA, the DepEd Order states
that localized suspension or cancellation of classes in both public and private elementary and/or
secondary schools in specific divisions may be implemented by the Superintendent or the school
principal/head for specific schools.

Moreover, the local chief executives, as head of the local disaster coordinating council can also
decide on the suspension of classes. When such a decision is made, they are requested to inform
the Superintendent and Regional Director to help in the dissemination of the information,
according to the DepEd order.

The DepEd leaves to parents 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. To ascertain whether or not to
send their children to school they should check for media advisories coming from PAG-ASA,
offices of the DepEd, DCCs and the respective LGUs.

Further, according to the department order, the announcement of suspension of classes should be
made by the Undersecretary for Regional Operations or, in his absence, the Regional Directors in
the case of the regions as much as possible, not later than 4:30 a.m. Such announcements shall be
done primarily through broadcast media and shall take effect the whole day. In case where there
are classes in the morning, announcements for suspension of classes for afternoon sessions
should be made, as much as possible, not later than 11:00 a.m. In case of division /school-
specific suspension of classes, the superintendent or school heads should inform the community
through the media, the LGU executives and their concerned superiors.
In addition, the DepEd order reminded parents and teachers 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 were 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. (PIA)
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