CAR has highest class disruptions, wastes 53 days of learning annually

The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has experienced 35 class disruptions this school year due to tropical cyclones and calamities, accounting for the highest number of lost school days in the country.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara expressed concern during a National Management Committee meeting on November 12 over about 53 days of learning being wasted annually due to weather-related class suspensions, with this number expected to increase further as Northern Luzon faces additional typhoons.

DepEd identified 377,729 learners across 239 schools nationwide as 'very high risk' for further learning losses due to frequent natural hazards, affecting around 3.86 million more learners in an additional 4,771 'high-risk' schools.

Angara convened the National Management Committee to explore interventions such as the Dynamic Learning Program (DLP), which includes make-up classes and catch-up sessions in temporary learning spaces.

DepEd will start implementing the DLP initiative this November in disaster-affected schools across several regions, designed to promote independent, resource-efficient learning and minimize learning loss. The program features parallel classes, activity-based engagement, student portfolios, and a reduced homework policy.