Suspension of Classes June 28, 2012 DepEd Guidelines

Suspension of Classes June 28, 2012 Guidelines DepEd

This is to reiterate the new guidelines of cancellation and suspension of classes by the Department of Education (DepEd).

Rules On Automatic Cancellation/Suspension of Classes:

a. When Signal No. 1 is raised by PAGASA, classes at the pre-school level, in the affected area, shall be automatically canceled or suspended.

b. When Signal No. 2 is raised by PAGASA, classes at the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels, in the affected area, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended,

c. When Signal No. 3 or higher is raised by PAGASA, classes at pre-school, elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels, in the affected area, including graduate school, as well as work in all government offices, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

Signal numbers declared at 10:00 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. of the following day are deemed automatic cancellation or suspension depending on the appropriate class level.

On the other hand, signal numbers declared at 11:00 a.m. automatically calls for cancellation or suspension of afternoon classes, based on the appropriate class level.

Teaching personnel handling cancelled or suspended classes are likewise allowed to leave their stations in consideration of the work they will need to undertake during make-up classes.

Rules On Localized Cancellation/Suspension of Classes and Work:

In the absence of typhoon signal warning from PAGASA, localized cancellation/suspension of classes in both public and private school and work on government offices may be implemented by the local chief executives in their capacity as chairperson of the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMC).

Thus, concerned local DepEd and private school officials are directed to establish effective lines of communication with the respective local government units (LGUs).

Meanwhile, Secretary Luistro said any decision to cancel or suspend classes must come from the local government, but that a school head may cancel or suspend classes only in cases where urgent action is needed to prevent loss of life or bodily harm.

As stated in Sec. 2, EO 66, LGU officials are expected to announce cancellation or suspension of classes not later than 4:30 a.m. for whole day cancellation or suspension or not later than 11:00 a.m. for afternoon cancellation or suspension.

No announcement should originate from the DepEd. If interviewed by media, announcements should always be made in reference to what PAGASA has already announced in areas under a typhoon signal and to local chief executives in the absence of a typhoon signal, Secretary Luistro said.