Quezon City: In response to significant class disruptions caused by recent typhoons, Education Secretary Sonny Angara announced the potential implementation of Saturday catch-up classes or night shifts. These measures aim to mitigate the learning loss experienced by students across the Philippines.
According to Philippines News Agency, Angara discussed these plans during an interview at the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology in Quezon City. He emphasized the urgency of make-up classes due to the extensive impact of weather disturbances on the educational sector. Angara noted, “We are telling them to get ready, that others will have Saturday classes, while others may need evening classes depending on the availability of teachers and facilities.”
The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that 20,860,818 learners and 883,822 teaching and non-teaching staff in 42,099 schools were affected by Super Typhoon Julian (international name Krathon), Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami
), and Super Typhoon Leon (Kong-rey). Particularly, the Calabarzon region experienced the highest number of school days lost, totaling 26 days since August.
In addition to considering Saturday or evening classes, Angara highlighted the pilot implementation of the dynamic learning program (DLP). This initiative, set to roll out in regions such as Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, and the Cordillera Administrative Region, offers flexibility by using simple and targeted activity sheets for learners.
Furthermore, Angara mentioned plans to address overcrowding in public schools by providing vouchers to students, facilitating their transfer to less congested private schools. He stated, “We are looking at the offer of public schools … It’s not congested. They can spend more time in the classrooms.”
For the rehabilitation of damaged schools, coordination with local government units, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the private sector is deemed essential to expedite infrastru
cture restoration. Angara also pointed out the need for additional funds to cover damages to non-infrastructure resources, such as information and communication technology equipment, textbooks, and furniture.
Angara also called on education leaders and experts in the Asia Pacific region to collaborate on system improvements to address climate change challenges, advocating for crisis-sensitive schools and strategic responses to ensure learning continuity. “President Bongbong Marcos himself has instructed us to come up with smart, actionable answers,” Angara remarked during his keynote address.
Regarding preparations for the upcoming Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Angara stressed the importance of schools’ diligence in implementing catch-up plans, given the impact of weather disturbances. He noted the inclusion of PISA-related questions in school activities to familiarize students with the assessment, scheduled for March 2025.
In the 2022 PISA, the Philippines ranked in the bottom 10
out of 81 countries in reading comprehension, mathematics, and science, and second to last in creative thinking.
