PAGADIAN CITY (PIA) – A total of 333 public schools in the Zamboanga peninsula have shifted to a different learning modality due to the high heat index brought about by the El Niño weather phenomenon. 

DepEd Assistant Regional Director Dr. Gregorio Cyrus R. Elejorde said a flexible mode or a different modality from modular, blended, or a different schedule is being adopted by schools to ensure continuous learning of students. The teachers are under obligation to prepare active learning materials that children can use while staying at home.

“The role of the student is to continue what is typically done in face-to-face interactions. Whatever is done in the classroom will still be done, but now it will be carried out at home, or in houses more independently. If you are staying at home, you will be exercising self-direction,” he said. 

Moreover, he hopes for parents to support their children in this process. “Our parents and our guardians must ensure the children will continually do what is expected of them,” he noted. 

Teachers and school management are regularly coordinating and communicating with parents to ensure that the children will continue to perform as expected. 

Elejorde explained that the highest heat index reaching 42 degrees celsius in some areas of the region is what prompted action from DepEd declaring the adoption of the flexible learning modality. 

“When the heat index reaches this level, schools are automatically advised to shift to a different modality. However, there may be situations where the school head decides to make this shift even if the threshold isn't reached.” 

According to Elejorde, each situation is unique, and decisions are localized and vary from school to school depending on their location and specific circumstances.

As of the first week of April, out of the 333 schools that have shifted to different learning modality, 216 are in Zamboanga City while 65 are in Isabela City, Basilan. 

Around 6,021 classes with 343,436 students are affected by modular learning or different scheduling.

DOST-PAGASA Officer-In-Charge Rodel Inclan in an interview said El Niño shows signs of weakening but is expected to persist until the March-April-May 2024 season. (RVC/EDT/CCP/EAM-GIP/PIA9)