Right balance

We are having some scorching days. Although we could argue that this is to be expected considering that we are currently in summer. However, based on what others have experienced, particularly those who have been physically exposed to the sun, this time is different from previous summers.

Another noteworthy occurrence this summer is that our students are continuing to study despite the extreme heat outside and the high humidity level within their classrooms.

Teachers devise strategies to deal with extreme heat. Last week, a senior high school teacher in Sariaya, Quezon, was compelled to hold exams in a shaded section of an open field in their school due to the extreme heat. In the viral post, which The STAR shared on its Facebook page, several users commended the teacher's "creativity" in dealing with the problem. He was not alone; teachers are discussing various techniques to keep youngsters cool in the heat on social media.

The incident prompted Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, to call for that the old school schedule be reinstated and that the national government reinstate the April-May "summer vacation."

According to Alliance of Concerned Teachers Secretary-General Raymond Basilio, the hot weather, which is expected to linger till next month, should force the DepEd to revert to the previous school schedule, in which classes begin in June. Classes during this period are not truly conducive in the Philippines because we lack the necessary infrastructure, particularly in public schools. And while we support the call for the return to the old school calendar, when the school break coincides with the hottest months of April and May, this would take at least years to gradually do so because an immediate return to the previous calendar could disrupt teacher and students' two-month vacation.

For the time being, other techniques include reduced teaching time, modular learning, and online learning. Others, however, are skeptical of the proposal since it would impede children's education because so many disturbances could occur while they are at home, a similar incident that occurred during the pandemic when students were under the supervision of their parents.

For the time being, we must remain cautious and watchful for exacerbating circumstances that may jeopardize the health and safety of our schoolchildren. We want them to learn as much as possible, but we are also concerned about their health. Finding the right balance is a significant issue.