Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) is urging local government units to make class suspensions as specific and localized as possible as some schools have lost more than 20 learning days due to disruptions since the opening of the school year. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said Thursday that localized suspensions would allow schools in unaffected areas to continue in-person classes while ensuring the safety of learners in areas facing risks.

According to Philippines News Agency, the average number of learning days lost as of September 11 is four nationwide, but the impact varies significantly across different regions and localities. In Central Luzon, an average of nine learning days were lost, with Pampanga recording 26 days. Soccsksargen reported an average of 8.4 lost days, with Sarangani reaching 28. Metro Manila recorded an average of 8.2 days, while Caloocan saw 25 days lost.

Angara highlighted that national statistics often mask the varied conditions within regions. For instance, in Calumpit, Bulacan, while some schools continue to be affected by flooding or are serving as evacuation centers, others have been able to resume in-person classes due to localized assessments of risk.

The DepEd's call for more specific suspension criteria comes as the government is considering a proposed executive order regarding the suspension and resumption of classes and work in educational institutions. The proposed framework suggests that class suspensions and resumptions could be automatic, localized, or granular, based on the nature and extent of the risk involved.

As of September 10, 34,775 schools, accounting for 72.49 percent of DepEd schools nationwide, had imposed class suspensions since the school year began. Angara noted that while safety remains the primary concern, schools could resume classes on a granular basis once conditions are deemed safe.

Under the proposed policy, schools would perform site-specific assessments to determine safety for in-person classes, ensuring coordination with the local government units. This would help avoid conflicting announcements and reduce confusion among learners, parents, teachers, and communities.

Angara emphasized the importance of protecting learning time, stating that the framework seeks to make decisions based on actual conditions, with the objective of resuming classes when safe.