El Niño Heat Sparks Teachers’ Call for Shorter Class Hours and Hybrid Learning
EL NIÑO – The looming El Niño phenomenon is raising concerns among teachers, who warn that relaxing school uniform rules alone will not protect learners from dangerously hot classrooms.
A teachers’ organization has called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement broader measures to protect students and teachers from rising classroom temperatures as the Philippines prepares for a potentially intense El Niño phenomenon.
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) emphasized that allowing students to wear more comfortable clothing would not be enough to address the health and safety risks associated with extreme heat. It recommended shortening class hours when necessary, introducing hybrid learning options and improving classroom cooling facilities.
In a statement issued Monday, October 19, the group welcomed Education Secretary Sonny Angara’s recognition that schools may need to make adjustments, including permitting students to wear sleeveless shirts or sandos.
However, the TDC stressed that DepEd must establish clear, official guidelines regarding school uniforms for both learners and teachers. Without a formal policy, schools could interpret the rules differently, potentially creating confusion and imposing additional expenses on families.
“The issue must not be reduced to what learners and teachers are allowed to wear,” the group said.
Angara announced on Friday, October 16, that public school students would no longer be required to wear uniforms because of the anticipated heat during El Niño. He said students could attend classes in sandos or other casual clothing, provided their attire remained reasonably dignified.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has projected an 81% probability of a “very strong” El Niño developing between October 2026 and January 2027. The agency also estimated a 97% likelihood that El Niño conditions would persist through the first half of 2027.
The anticipated weather phenomenon has raised concerns about its potential effects on communities nationwide. Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. warned that every province could experience drought or very dry conditions by the end of March 2027.
More than 100 municipalities have already declared a state of emergency in preparation for the expected conditions.
The Philippines previously experienced very strong El Niño episodes in 1982-1983 and 1997-1998.
As temperatures are expected to rise, the teachers’ group maintains that comprehensive school policies, improved learning environments, and flexible class arrangements are necessary to safeguard both educators and students.
READ ALSO: Female Student Flexes Outfit After DepEd Allows Sleeveless Shirts Amid Super El Niño
