Senate President Win Gatchalian is pushing for more localized and targeted class suspensions, saying blanket cancellations due to bad weather could further worsen learning loss among students.
“This is concerning. While we know that class suspensions seek to ensure the safety of learners and teachers, widespread disruption to classes can aggravate learning loss,” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian, a former chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said schools located in areas unaffected by severe weather conditions and other hazards should be allowed to continue holding face-to-face classes.
Weather-related suspensions have disrupted in-person classes in different parts of the country on at least 20 weekdays over the past 30 days.
Citing data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education, Gatchalian said some schools have already lost between 30 and 50 class days within a school year because of recurring suspensions.
“Bagama’t tinitiyak natin ang kapakanan ng ating mga mag-aaral tuwing may kalamidad, kailangan din nating tiyaking magpapatuloy ang edukasyon sa mga ligtas na lugar,” he said.
Gatchalian’s proposal is contained in Senate Bill No. 53, or the proposed 21st Century School Boards Act, which seeks to give local school boards greater authority to implement timely, coordinated and area-specific measures to keep basic education running during disasters, calamities and other emergencies.