The Philippine Department of Education suspended in-person classes at more than 10,000 public schools across Luzon on Monday [1].
These closures impact a significant portion of the student population in the country's largest island group. The suspension is a critical safety measure to prevent students and faculty from traveling during severe weather conditions that often lead to flash floods and landslides.
The disruptions were caused by the southwest monsoon, known locally as habagat, which dumped heavy rains across the region [1], [2]. The weather system affected multiple areas, including Metro Manila, Quezon province, and Laguna province [3], [4].
In Quezon, officials said classes were suspended in eight towns [4]. Meanwhile, the entire province of Laguna also halted school operations to ensure public safety [4]. The widespread nature of the suspension reflects the intensity of the monsoon rains hitting the northern part of the archipelago.
Education officials coordinated the closures to mitigate risks associated with the habagat. While the Department of Education said the total number of affected public schools was over 10,000 [1], local government units in specific provinces managed the implementation of these suspensions based on the severity of the rainfall in their respective jurisdictions.
The Philippine government frequently utilizes these suspension protocols during the monsoon season. The region remains vulnerable to extreme weather, which often necessitates the sudden shift of academic schedules to avoid casualties during transit to and from school facilities.
“In-person classes were suspended in more than 10,000 public schools”
The scale of these suspensions highlights the ongoing struggle of the Philippine education system to maintain consistency during the annual monsoon season. By closing over 10,000 schools, the government prioritizes immediate physical safety over instructional hours, reflecting a systemic reliance on reactive measures to manage the risks posed by the southwest monsoon in the Luzon region.
