DepEd releases new guidelines for class suspensions

The Department of Education (DepEd) released new guidelines to help school heads determine class suspensions and select the appropriate learning modes before, during, and after emergencies.

Under DepEd Order No. 14 series of 2026, school heads are authorized to coordinate with the Schools Division Superintendent and local government units to implement granular suspension of classes based on the actual situation of the community.

DepEd said this ensures that class suspensions target the needs of affected classrooms or grade levels, rather than enforcing blanket cancellations across the entire division.

Levels-based framework

The new levels-based Learning Continuity Framework has four levels, according to DepEd:

• Hayo or Continue - regular in-person learning continues when stakeholders are safe.
• Hinay or Ease-in - earning proceeds in a slower, flexible manner during mild disruptions.
• Hinga or Check-in - academic demands are reduced to prioritize well-being checks.
• Hinto or Stop - academic learning is temporarily suspended because safety and basic needs are at risk.

DepEd said this levels-based Learning Continuity Framework will serve as a guide for schools in choosing appropriate learning responses based on the safety and condition of both learners and teachers.

The guidelines also set standards for emergency learning resources and experiences—such as learning packets, printed or digital modules, broadcast materials, family kits, check-in guides, home learning support, and emergency kits.

DepEd said the goal is to “create a clearer framework in making fast, informed decisions.”

“Kapag may kalamidad o krisis, unang tanong dapat natin: ligtas ba ang mga bata at guro, at kaya na ba nilang matuto at magturo? Hindi pwedeng pareho ang hinihingi natin sa kanila kapag normal ang sitwasyon at kapag may pinagdadaanan silang panganib, takot, o pagkawala,” Deped Secretary Sonny Angara said.

(When there is a calamity or crisis, our first question should be: are the children and teachers safe, and are they capable of learning and teaching? We cannot demand the same things from them in a normal situation as we do when they are facing danger, fear, or loss.)

Recovery kit

According to DepEd, the newly introduced policy will be assisted by a standardized recovery kit for learning during calamities, or the EduKahon.

“Ang mga specialized kit na ito ay paunang ipinamamahagi sa mga paaralan at naglalaman ng mga pangunahing kagamitan sa pagtuturo at pag-aaral, upang masigurong tuloy ang edukasyon kahit pa hindi magamit o nasira ang mga silid-aralan,” DepEd said.

(These specialized kits are pre-positioned in schools and contain essential teaching and learning materials to ensure that education continues even if classrooms are damaged or unusable.)

DepEd said that teachers will undergo capacity building in “trauma-informed teaching, psychological first aid, and learning delivery” across various emergency levels under the new policy.

DepEd’s new guidelines will be implemented in all public elementary and secondary schools, as well as DepEd-operated Community Learning Centers (CLCs) and accredited Alternative Learning System (ALS) providers nationwide.

Meanwhile, private schools, private ALS providers, and the basic education units of State and Local Universities and Colleges (SUCs and LUCs) may also adopt the guidelines, according to the Education Department. --VAL, GMA News