Cancellation of Classes During a Storm or a Calamity Is Not Dependent on the Department of Education

There is no need to depend on the Department of Education (Dep.Ed) to make a decision when cancelling classes when a storm or calamity occurs in a certain locality.

According to Jessie Gomez, Division School Superintendent of Aklan, the local government which includes the officials of a municipality and province has the authority to declare when classes are to be cancelled.

Gomez clarified that the leadership on the Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC &MDRRMC) has been passed to the Local Government Unit (LGU) while the Dep. Ed. is only a member of the PDRRMC and MDRRMC and the chairman of the respective councils are the Governor and the Mayor.

Therefore, when it is already dangerous for students whether there is a storm or not, the LGUs can declare the cancellation of classes, and also can answer the queries of parents whether classes are to be cancelled.

In addition, during unusual circumstances at school like when there is flooding, fire or any calamity, the Head Teacher can also declare the cancellation of classes.