Senator Francis Tolentino has voiced support for reverting to the old school calendar due to concerns about intense heat, emphasizing parental discretion in deciding whether students should attend school during heatwaves and the importance of alternative learning solutions.
He also urged calendar adjustments if heat conditions persist, questioning Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. about the continuity of the current heat index trends into the following year, given the impending transition to La Niña conditions, which usually bring cooler temperatures.
Solidum clarified that while heatwaves are recognized internationally, the term is not commonly used in the Philippines, where high temperatures are not unusual.
Additionally, the city government of Valenzuela has amended its class suspension ordinance to include the heat index among the reasons for suspending face-to-face classes and work in schools, automatically canceling onsite classes and shifting to synchronous and asynchronous modes when temperatures exceed 42 degrees Celsius.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 2, 2024
