DepEd Grants LGUs and Schools Power to Suspend Classes During Emergencies Under New Order

The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued Order No. 022, s. 2024, granting local government units (LGUs) and school officials expanded authority to suspend classes and work in public schools during emergencies, including typhoons, extreme heat, power outages, and other hazards.

Signed on December 23, 2024, the order replaces older suspension protocols that relied heavily on national weather advisories. It seeks to create a more flexible, responsive, and localized system to protect students and ensure the continuity of learning despite disruptions.

Expanded Grounds for Suspension

Under the new policy, in-person classes and work may be suspended in response to a wide range of conditions beyond just natural disasters. These include:

Typhoons, heavy rainfall, and floods
Earthquakes and volcanic activity
Power interruptions
Extreme heat and poor air quality
Other significant hazards that may endanger learners or personnel

This shift allows Local Chief Executives (LCEs), Schools Division Superintendents (SDS), and school heads to make timely decisions based on actual conditions in their communities.

Learning and Service Continuity Plans (LSCPs)

DepEd Order No. 022 also mandates all schools and field offices to develop and regularly update Learning and Service Continuity Plans (LSCPs). These are comprehensive blueprints designed to ensure that education and school services continue despite physical closures.

Key elements of LSCPs include:

Alternative Delivery Modes (ADMs) such as modular, online, or blended learning
Make-up classes or performance-based assessments
Safekeeping and distribution of learning materials and devices
Teacher and personnel mobilization for remote instruction and student support
Integration of budget planning for emergency resources and logistics

LSCPs must be incorporated into each school's School Improvement Plan (SIP) every three years and reviewed annually.

Localized, Learner-Centered Response

DepEd officials stressed that the order empowers schools and LGUs to act based on real-time local assessments rather than waiting for centralized advisories. The policy aims to prevent unnecessary class disruptions while ensuring safety, especially during unpredictable or localized hazards.

“The priority remains the health, safety, and well-being of our learners and staff,” DepEd said in a statement. “At the same time, we are committed to minimizing learning loss and maintaining continuity even in emergencies.”

Implementation and Public Awareness

While some LGUs — like Quezon City — have yet to receive the full implementing guidelines, others have begun aligning local protocols with the order. DepEd encourages all regions and divisions to conduct orientation and planning sessions to ensure a smooth transition to the updated policy.

As climate conditions continue to shift and new threats emerge, DepEd Order No. 022 represents a proactive step in creating a more resilient and adaptive education system in the Philippines.