Students, parents dismayed over late announcement of class suspensions

Several students and parents were disappointed because of the late announcement of class suspensions on Thursday afternoon, but the Metro Manila Council reasoned that it was not that rainy in the morning.

Classes in Metro Manila and several other provinces were suspended last week due to the continuous rains caused by cyclones Luis, Maymay and the southwest monsoon.

In a "24 Oras" report from Mariz Umali, students were finally able to go to school again — only to get sent back home by the afternoon due to strong rains.

“Magdamag na nga yung ulan kagabi nag-expect na kami na umaga may suspension na pero wala, hindi siya nagsuspend tapos ngayong afternoon class tsaka syanagsuspend,” Albert Mangilaya said as he was taking his children home from school.

(The rain was non-stop last night so we were expecting that there would be a suspension in the morning, but then no one suspended, now afternoon classes were suspended.)

Jen Fajardo, another parent, said she was worried that the kids might get sick from the rain.

Student Kae Pusod wished that the announcement of class suspensions were made earlier so they would not be inconvenienced, especially since they had tasks at home.

“Gumastos po kami ng pamasahe po,” Pusod said. (We had to spend on transportation.)

Fellow student Liam Valencia said it was also tiring to go to school only to have classes suspended.

However, others also expressed their concerns about the continuous class interruptions. Mangilaya said that the children may fall behind in their lessons.

“Medyo nagiging putol-putol po yung learning… hindi po kami natututo kahit po nagbibigay pa po sila ng mga work,” student Justin Apostol said.

(Learning is becoming discontinuous…we may not learn even if they give us work.)

San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, the Metro Manila Council president, asked the public for patience.

“Ang katotohanan po niyan, napakahirap po talaga mag-decision pagdating po sa mga suspensions because one, we also just rely on forecasts…at hindi naman po lahat ng forecast ay tama din,” Zamora said.

(The truth is, it is hard to decide when it comes to suspensions because one, we also just rely on forecasts…and not all of the forecasts are correct.)

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the agency is finalizing a new order that clarifies when classes should and should not be suspended.

“We’re trying to introduce something more localized like what is being done in Pasig City. It is not just the mayor suspending, he would ask schools if they need to suspend in their area, So it is more granular, it is more localized,” Angara said in a mix of English and Filipino. — Jean Mangaluz/BAP, GMA News