DepEd issues school safety, learning continuity protocol for strong El Niño

MANILA – To ensure learning safety and continuity despite the looming effect of “very strong” El Niño, the Department of Education (DepEd) released its comprehensive guidelines to be implemented across schools nationwide.

In a statement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the proactive measures seek to sustain a safe learning environment and protect the welfare of learners, teachers and personnel.

"We cannot afford to wait until extreme heat hits before we act. Our plan this year is proactive, deliberate, and organized,” he said.

Under DepEd Memorandum No. 64, series of 2026, schools must implement various measures based on the severity of the anticipated dry spell in their local schools, rather than blanket suspensions or class resumptions.

School administrators will use a “practical, localized decision-making tool,” relying on daily indoor classroom temperature and humidity readings taken at 8 a.m., 12 noon, and 2 p.m.

The DepEd earlier announced the implementation of the 4H framework — namely, the Hayo, Hinay, Hinga and Hinto.

Under this framework, face-to-face classes will continue under manageable heat conditions; modified or structured blended learning under heat stress; reduced academic requirements alongside the provision of learning packets during extreme heat or shortage of water; and class suspension amid heat index with health risk, respectively.

“Through our 4H framework and daily, classroom-level monitoring, we are empowering our school heads with the flexibility to adjust hours or shift to modular learning only when local conditions genuinely require it,” Angara said.

Hayo level will be imposed when the heat index remains below 27°C, alongside scheduled hydration breaks.

When conditions rise between 27°C and 32°C, Hinay will be in place, allowing school heads to shorten in-person hours or shift to hybrid and flexible home-based schedules.

Extreme caution between 33°C and 41°C will prompt Hinga, imposing class suspensions and a shift to lighter home-based tasks and health check-ins.

Hinto is the danger level where the heat index hits 42°C and above, wherein all physical and home-based academic activities are fully suspended.

In addition to implementing the 4H framework, schools must assess clean water supply reliability and provide safe drinking stations and emergency procurement provisions for water filtration kits, when necessary.

School-based feeding programs must also be sustained, alongside safety efforts like electrical inspections and dry vegetation clearing under the Fire Code of the Philippines.

Learners, teachers and other personnel may also wear decent and “light, breathable alternative uniforms or previously issued DepEd collared shirts.”

“We are making sure our schools are fully prepared to manage heat stress, water shortages, and health risks, protecting the safety and well-being of our learners and personnel without unnecessarily sacrificing precious classroom time,” Angara said.

Besides short-term solutions, the DepEd also reiterated that it is exploring long-term solutions to advance the possible use of solar energy in public schools.