Philippines to suspend in-person classes in public schools due to heat wave, jeepney drivers' strike
File photo.
The Philippines will suspendin-person classes in all public schools on Monday and Tuesday due to extreme heat and a nationwide strike by jeepney drivers, the country's education department saidon Sunday (Apr 28).In a post on Facebook, the department said, "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 suspension of offline classes came as the capital city of Manilarecorded its highest-ever temperature. Citing data from the state weather forecaster, a report by the news agency AFP said that Manilahit a record high of 38.8 degrees Celsius on Saturdaywiththe heat index reaching 45 degrees Celsius.
Many schools in the countryhave no air-conditioning, leaving students to swelter in crowded, poorly ventilated-classrooms.AFP reported that 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.
Also read |Deaths due to heat at all-time high; heatwaves in Europe linked to 30% increase in fatalities
Glaiza Escullarfrom thestate weather forecaster told the news agency, "There is a possibility that the areas will exceed those temperatures being measured today until the second week of May."
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"There is a possibility that the areas will exceed those temperatures being measured today until the second week of May," Escullar added.
On Sunday, hot weather persisted in the Philippineswithseveral citizensflocking to air-conditioned shopping malls and swimming pools for relief.
Meanwhile, the suspension of offlineclasses in schoolsis also due toa nationwide strike by jeepney drivers. The drivers plan to hold athree-day nationwide strike starting Monday to protest the government's plan to phase out the smoke-belching vehiclesused by many Filipinosto commute to work and school.
(With inputs from agencies)