Philippines suspends in-person classes
The Philippines suspend in-person classes in all public schools for two days due to extreme heat and a nationwide strike by jeepney drivers, the education department said yesterday.
Extreme heat has scorched Southeast Asia in recent weeks, prompting thousands of schools to suspend in-person operations and authorities to issue health warnings.
Many schools in the Philippines have no air-conditioning, leaving students to swelter in crowded, poorly ventilated classrooms.
“In view of the latest heat index forecast... and the announcement of a nationwide transport strike, all public schools nationwide shall implement asynchronous classes/distance learning on April 29 and 30, 2024,” the department said on Facebook.
The education department oversees more than 47,000 schools across the archipelago nation.
Some jeepney drivers also plan to hold a three-day nationwide strike starting today to protest the government’s plan to phase out the smoke-belching vehicles used by many to commute to work and school.
The suspension of in-person classes comes after the capital recorded its highest ever temperature.
The temperature in the city hit a record high of 38.8°C on Saturday with the heat index reaching 45°C, data from the state weather forecaster showed.
The hot weather persisted yesterday with many people flocking to air-conditioned shopping malls and swimming pools for relief.
The months of March, April and May are typically the hottest and driest of the year, but this year’s conditions have been exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon.
Camiling municipality in Tarlac province, north of Manila, recorded a temperature of 40.3°C on Saturday — the country’s highest this year.
The Philippines ranks among the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.