BEAT THE HEAT: DepEd Eyes Solar Power, Cool Classrooms as Extreme Weather Hits Home

MANILA (October 23) — As scorching temperatures continue to transform classrooms into pressure cookers, the Department of Education (DepEd) is rolling out a mix of quick-fix relief and long-term climate solutions to protect millions of Filipino learners.

With forecasters warning of potentially severe El Niño conditions, Education Secretary Sonny Angara confirmed that DepEd is setting its sights on solar-powered schools to keep lights and cooling systems running without skyrocketing electricity bills.

“Ito ang direksyon natin dahil siguro hindi nagbabago ang climate change natin and we will be seeing even hotter and more extreme weather disturbances,” Angara stated, pointing toward 2027 as a realistic target for broader solar panel rollouts on school rooftops.

Immediate Relief: What Communities Need to Know Today

While large-scale solarization awaits budget allocation, DepEd is instructing school heads to take immediate, ground-level action to safeguard students and teachers:

• ⚡ Fan & Airflow Audits: Immediate inspection and repair of classroom electric fans, window cross-ventilation, and shaded corridors.
• 👕 Casual Uniform Rules: Strict dress codes are relaxed—both students and teachers are encouraged to wear comfortable, light-colored, and breathable attire.
• 🚨 Localized Class Suspensions: Mayors and school heads can instantly suspend in-person classes when heat heat-index levels become unbearable.
• 📚 Seamless Distant Learning: When heat forces doors closed, lessons switch immediately to printed modules, offline video guides, or community chat groups.

Why Local Microclimates Matter

Secretary Angara emphasized that heat affects every barangay differently depending on greenery, concrete density, and humidity:

With weather patterns shifting fast, DepEd’s message to local communities is clear: flexibility, rapid cooling action, and local leadership are essential to keeping kids safe while keeping them learning.