What it is
The Department of Education (DepEd) is reinforcing its readiness protocols to address the effects of El Niño and severe weather. This effort aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to strengthen climate change education in basic education.
Key points
- The DepEd's readiness strategy involves ongoing risk assessment, an updated contingency plan, and revised guidelines for learning continuity during emergencies when the heat index reaches dangerous levels.
- Education Secretary Sonny Angara has directed the continuous integration of existing climate change concepts into basic education learning competencies to match the President's environmental resilience agenda.
- The curriculum integration is structured by grade level: Kindergarten to Grade 3 focuses on environmental care; Grades 4 to 6 cover natural issues like air quality and waste management; and Grades 7 to 10 discuss the scientific causes of global warming, mitigation strategies, and global advocacies.
- Specific subjects address climate concepts: Science for Grades 9 and 10 covers global warming evidence, greenhouse gases, biodiversity protection, and local solutions like renewable energy use.
- GMRC for Grades 1-3 and Values Education for Grades 7-10 emphasize family response to climate issues, resource conservation (food, water, electricity), and involvement in national/global advocacies.
- Physical Education and Health for Grade 6 introduces environmental issues and climate effects using the One Health concept.
- EPP and TLE for Grades 4 to 10 teach practical skills for crisis response, climate change reduction solutions, and modern farming practices.
Who is affected
All students are involved in the curriculum integration from Kindergarten through Grade 10. Furthermore, school administration is tasked with prioritizing heat and water security by maintaining proper facilities, providing safe drinking water, fixing leaks, and improving classroom ventilation.
What teachers should do
Teachers are encouraged to utilize the Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O) activities, where student groups organize campus cleanups, waste segregation, and maintaining drainage systems. Additionally, school heads have the authority to adjust class schedules or shift to flexible learning arrangements during periods of intense heat.
Source
Official source: deped.gov.ph