In a move to address the educational setbacks caused by frequent class cancellations due to adverse weather conditions, the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Ilocos Region has taken decisive action. The initiative, led by DepEd Ilocos Director Tolentino Aquino, involves the suspension of all non-essential school activities to focus on core curriculum delivery.
Since the academic year began in July, schools in the region have faced a total of 22 days of class suspensions, accounting for approximately 12.7% of the school year. Director Aquino emphasized the need to maximize the remaining instructional time to ensure students receive a comprehensive education. He stated that any school training or seminars planned during school days should be rescheduled to the midyear break if possible.
In cases where rescheduling is not feasible, school heads are required to develop a detailed contingency plan to minimize disruptions to classroom learning. Teachers are also encouraged to assign additional tasks that promote independent learning and reinforce essential skills and content areas aligned with the curriculum.
To maintain educational continuity, previously approved travel for teachers will remain valid, provided that a comprehensive contingency plan is in place to cover their absence. This approach aims to balance the need for focused learning time with the implementation of regional or division programs that require specialized teacher skills.
To facilitate monitoring, DepEd Ilocos plans to issue a follow-up memo detailing the schedule for make-up classes. Additionally, the department is employing various learning platforms, including the Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) and Khan Academy, to support education in areas affected by class suspensions. DLP focuses on providing make-up classes and using adaptable learning sheets in temporary learning spaces, while Khan Academy offers digital learning materials to enhance student competencies through a partnership with DepEd.