7,000 schools shift to online due to El Niño heat

Unusually high temperatures linked to El Niño have forced over 7,000 public schools in the Philippines to switch to online classes, reviving memories of COVID-19 lockdowns and raising concerns about educational inequalities.

Teachers like Erlinda Alfonso in Quezon City are struggling with students' lack of access to internet and learning materials at home, while classrooms remain overcrowded and poorly ventilated, leading some pupils to prefer the heat of school over their homes.

A survey of more than 8,000 teachers in Metro Manila found that 87% of students experienced heat-related health issues, with nearly half reporting only one or two electric fans in their classrooms.

The Health department reported 34 cases of heat-related illness and six deaths from January to April 18th, highlighting the urgent need for better classroom ventilation and resources.

Teachers advocate for comprehensive measures such as providing free drinking water, ensuring adequate classroom space, integrating climate education into the curriculum, and reverting to the pre-pandemic school calendar to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on learning.