Samal, Bataan — Face-to-face classes in pre-elementary, elementary, and high schools in both public and private schools in Bataan were suspended Friday, April 5, due to the hot weather being experienced in the province.
Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia 3rd in a memorandum issued Thursday said the suspension of classes was for the safety of children and teachers due to the rise in heat index from 32 to 35°C the past days to 37°C as forecasted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services.
Schools division superintendent Carolina Violeta confirmed the suspension order on face-to-face classes, saying she directed that classes continue through the alternative delivery mode of learning.
In a visit to the Samal South Elementary School in Barangay Sta. Lucia Thursday, four to five or more electric fans serve as ventilation system for each classroom.
Principal Charito Corpus of the Samal North Elementary School in Barangay San Juan said there will be no face-to-face classes Friday but they will employ the alternative delivery mode of learning based on a directive from their division superintendent.
She said that she held a meeting with teachers as to what they observed from the children due to the heat.
“Ang sinabi lang nila may mga bata na sumasakit ang ulo tapos kapag nagkaklase sila, ang ibang mga bata mas gustong nakaupo sa floor para makaramdam ng lamig. May ilan kaming mga bata sabi nila na inuubo. So far, iyon lang naman ang nakita nila sa mga bata pero wala naman kaming casualty dito na hinimatay or what wala pa naman,” Corpus said.
The school principal said that she allowed children to wear comfortable clothes and even teachers as long as the clothes are decent. “Pwedeng hindi muna magsuot ng school uniform.”
Physical education activities were held inside classrooms so as not to expose children from the hot weather. Classrooms were with five or more electric fans.
“Para maka- cope ang mga bata sa init, may mga water dispenser kami tapos may mga additional na mga bentilador na nakalagay sa mga classroom nila. Saka marami kaming drinking faucet na pwede magamit ng mga bata,” Corpus said.
