DepEd to Implement 4H Framework, Strengthen School Safety Measures Amid El Niño Threat in SY 2026–2027
The Department of Education (DepEd), under the leadership of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, is preparing to issue nationwide guidelines directing schools to strengthen their preparedness for the anticipated effects of El Niño during School Year 2026–2027.
The upcoming guidelines aim to protect learners, teachers, and school personnel from extreme heat and water shortages while ensuring the continuity of education and essential school services, including the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP).
The initiative follows an advisory from the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST–PAGASA), warning that a potentially strong to very strong El Niño could intensify before the end of 2026 and persist through the first half of 2027.
Angara emphasized the importance of early preparations and preventive measures to minimize the impact of climate-related disruptions on schools.
The Education Secretary said the department is strengthening its proactive and protective responses under the direction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with learner safety and uninterrupted essential education services among its priorities.
DepEd's 4H Framework: Hayo, Hinay, Hinga, and Hinto
A central component of the upcoming guidelines is the 4H Learning Continuity Framework, consisting of four response levels: Hayo, Hinay, Hinga, and Hinto.
The framework was previously established under DepEd Order No. 014, s. 2026, or the Guidelines on Learning Continuity in Emergencies, issued on June 4, 2026.
The forthcoming El Niño-specific guidelines will build on this existing framework, helping public schools and Community Learning Centers (CLCs) determine appropriate learning arrangements according to local weather conditions, classroom safety, and available resources.
1. HAYO (Continue): Regular Classes with Safety Precautions
Under Hayo, schools may continue regular face-to-face classes when conditions remain manageable and the safety of learners and personnel can be maintained.
However, schools will be expected to implement preventive measures to reduce exposure to extreme heat.
These include scheduled water breaks to keep learners hydrated, moving outdoor activities to the early morning or shaded areas, and allowing appropriate and comfortable clothing, such as physical education uniforms.
The objective is to maintain normal classroom instruction while minimizing health risks associated with rising temperatures.
2. HINAY (Ease-in): Modified Classes and Flexible Learning
When conditions begin to show signs of heat stress or disruption, schools may shift to Hinay.
At this level, school administrators may implement modified class schedules, including shorter or adjusted instructional days, depending on the actual conditions in their communities.
Structured home-based learning, hybrid instruction, and other flexible learning arrangements may also be introduced.
These adjustments are intended to reduce learners' exposure to excessive heat without unnecessarily interrupting educational activities.
3. HINGA (Check-in): Reduced Academic Requirements
Under Hinga, the priority shifts toward protecting learners' physical and emotional well-being when extreme heat, water shortages, or other serious disruptions significantly affect school operations.
Academic requirements will be substantially reduced to avoid placing additional pressure on learners and teachers.
Schools may provide supplementary learning packets and simplified educational activities, particularly those focusing on foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
Educational resources delivered through DepEd TV and radio-based instruction may also support learning where appropriate.
During this stage, schools are expected to prioritize learner welfare, conduct necessary well-being checks, and allow sufficient flexibility in academic expectations.
4. HINTO (Stop): Suspension of Academic Activities
Hinto represents the highest level of response under the framework.
When extreme heat index conditions or other circumstances pose serious threats to health and safety, academic learning activities will be temporarily suspended.
Schools will instead prioritize the immediate protection and basic needs of learners, teachers, and personnel.
Essential communication between schools and families will continue, alongside safety monitoring, welfare checks, and referrals for psychosocial support when necessary.
The framework recognizes that academic activities should not be forced to continue when conditions are unsafe.
School Heads Given Flexibility to Respond to Local Conditions
DepEd also intends to give school heads and Schools Division Superintendents greater flexibility in determining the appropriate learning arrangements during extreme weather conditions.
Rather than applying a single response to all schools, decisions may be based on actual local circumstances, including classroom ventilation, heat conditions, and water availability.
Angara expressed confidence that school officials can exercise sound judgment in determining appropriate measures for their communities.
This approach allows individual schools to make timely adjustments based on their specific risks and operational capacities, while remaining guided by DepEd policies and applicable emergency protocols.
Schools Required to Assess Heat, Water, Electricity, and Fire Risks
Another major provision of the planned guidelines is an integrated school-level risk assessment.
Schools will be expected to evaluate their readiness to operate safely during prolonged periods of extreme heat and drought.
Assessments will cover the reliability of water supplies, classroom ventilation, the condition and capacity of electrical systems, and potential fire hazards.
Schools will also be directed to monitor classroom temperature and humidity using properly calibrated measuring devices.
Adequate ventilation, including natural airflow and cross-ventilation where possible, will remain an important protective measure.
These assessments will help school administrators identify classrooms and facilities that may require immediate improvements or adjustments to normal school operations.
DepEd to Protect School-Based Feeding Program During Drought
Beyond classroom safety, the upcoming guidelines will also strengthen measures to ensure that learners continue receiving nutritional support through the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP).
Prolonged drought may disrupt agricultural production, local food supplies, and water availability, potentially affecting the preparation and distribution of school meals.
To address these risks, Schools Division Offices (SDOs) and school heads will be required to develop contingency menus that can be implemented when regular food supplies become limited.
Schools will also coordinate with local government units (LGUs), farmers' cooperatives, and other local food suppliers to maintain access to suitable food products.
Another proposed measure is the maintenance of buffer stocks of shelf-stable or non-perishable food items.
These preparations are intended to prevent interruptions in the delivery of school feeding services and help ensure that participating learners continue receiving essential nutritional support during climate-related emergencies.
Flexible Attire and Better Access to Drinking Water
The planned guidelines will also allow teachers and learners to wear lighter, more comfortable clothing appropriate for hot weather.
Permitted attire may include official DepEd collared shirts and physical education uniforms, subject to the applicable dress guidelines.
Schools will also be expected to improve water security by promptly repairing leaks, ensuring access to safe drinking water, and coordinating with local water utility providers when scheduled water deliveries or rationing become necessary.
These measures are intended to help schools manage water shortages while maintaining safe and sanitary learning environments.
Learning Materials to Be Prepared in Advance
To minimize learning disruptions, DepEd also plans to require schools to maintain sufficient physical learning resources that can be distributed before anticipated emergencies.
These include printed Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) and Learning Activity Sheets (LAS).
Preparing learning materials in advance will allow teachers to support learners when face-to-face instruction is modified or temporarily replaced by alternative delivery arrangements.
This measure is particularly important for families without stable internet connections or access to digital learning devices.
The type and amount of academic work assigned will still depend on the applicable 4H response level, with learner safety and well-being taking priority during serious emergencies.
No Additional Expenses Should Be Imposed on Parents
A significant protection under the proposed guidelines is the prohibition against requiring parents or guardians to shoulder additional expenses as a condition for participating in flexible learning arrangements.
Schools will not be allowed to require families to purchase cooling equipment, pay for internet connectivity, or buy special clothing to comply with emergency learning arrangements.
This protection is intended to ensure that households, particularly those experiencing financial difficulties, are not burdened with additional costs because of climate-related adjustments in school operations.
The policy also reinforces the principle that access to education should remain inclusive and equitable, regardless of a family's financial capacity.
Prioritizing Learner Safety While Ensuring Learning Continuity
As the Philippines prepares for the potentially prolonged effects of El Niño, DepEd's planned measures emphasize the need for school readiness, flexible decision-making, and close coordination among education officials, local governments, and communities.
The 4H Framework is designed to help schools determine when regular instruction can safely continue, when learning arrangements should be adjusted, when academic pressure should be reduced, and when activities must temporarily stop.
Through these measures, the department seeks to reduce the impact of extreme heat and water shortages on education while safeguarding the physical health, emotional well-being, and basic needs of learners.
The central goal is to ensure that learning continues whenever conditions permit, without compromising the safety and welfare of students, teachers, and school personnel.
As of October 19, 2026, the additional El Niño-specific guidelines are being prepared for issuance. Schools and families are advised to follow subsequent official DepEd memoranda and announcements for detailed implementation instructions.
Reviewed by Teachers Click
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October 19, 2026
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