EXPLAINER: How can students catch up after class suspensions?

On average, basic education students should attend school for around 180 to 200 days. However, up to 50 days are lost because of class suspensions, according to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2).

Most of these suspensions are because of inclement weather.

As of August 11, 2026, more than 6.5 million students across 10,000 public schools were affected by the southwest monsoon suspensions, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

There were at least seven widespread class suspensions because of the Southwest Monsoon. But the EDCOM 2 said that there could be even more class suspensions from September to October, because this is when more cyclones impact the country.

But the question is, during times of calamity, what should be the priority? Safety, or the quality of education?

This is why DepEd activated the 4H Emergency Learning Protocol. Under DepEd Order 14, series of 2026, there are guidelines for learning continuity amid emergencies.

There are four levels: the Hayo, Hinay, Hinga and Hinto.

Under the Hayo (Continue) level, these are the normal circumstances where the learner is physically safe and able to attend face-to-face classes.

Then there is Hinay (Ease In), which is for minor or moderate disruption of face-to-face classes that could cause mild stress to students.

Scenarios in this level include a yellow rainfall warning, as well as tropical cyclone wind signal warning number 1 or 2. An intensity IV earthquake and below are also included in this level.

In these scenarios, studying will continue. If there are no in-person classes, the teacher could use an approved Learning and Service Continuity Plan (LSCP) or modular and online learning.

For the Hinay level, the pace of lessons is adjusted to alleviate pressure on students and teachers. The subjects are reduced and the time is shortened as well.

The third level is Hinga (Check-In), which will be implemented if the effect of the emergency is stressful on the learners.

These include an orange rainfall warning, a tropical cyclone wind signal number 3, and an intensity V earthquake. Heat of 33 to 42 degrees Celsius is also classified under this category.

Under this level, teachers must conduct a wellness check. The safety of the students will be prioritized, so their workload will be lessened.

While asynchronous tasks are still allowed, submission is not mandatory. The focus will be to review past lessons.

The fourth and last level is Hinto (Stop), which will be implemented in dangerous scenarios where the students’ safety must be prioritized.

This will be implemented during red rainfall warnings, tropical cyclone wind signal number 4, and Intensity VI earthquakes.

Academic learning will be paused while the learners' protection and basic needs are prioritized.

This level also mandated that Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services will be available to learners and teachers.

The DepEd said that these guidelines are separate from suspension guidelines.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said that learning continuity does not mean that students must be forced to do their regular academic work. The agency aims to guide schools on when to continue, slow down, or pause lessons without compromising the students’ safety or education. —LDF, GMA News