As School Year 2025–2026 begins, Education Secretary Sonny Angara clarified that decisions regarding class suspensions due to weather disturbances now fall under the authority of local government units (LGUs), not the Department of Education (DepEd).
Speaking on the first day of classes, Angara explained that previous automatic suspension policies—such as cancelling kinder classes under Signal No. 1—have been revised. Now, suspensions will be based on actual local weather conditions.
“Before, a Signal No. 1 meant an automatic class cancellation for kinder. That’s no longer the case. It’s now up to the LGUs, depending on what they’re experiencing on the ground,” Angara stated.
He added that some schools, especially private ones, requested more flexibility, suggesting that classes should continue if weather conditions are mild to prevent unnecessary learning interruptions.
This policy shift, along with the return to a June school opening, aims to create a more resilient academic calendar amid increasingly unpredictable climate patterns. Over 27 million students are expected to return to classrooms nationwide this school year.
Angara expressed full support for President Marcos’ move to adjust the academic calendar, calling it a “good choice” to align school operations with better weather conditions and ensure safer, more consistent learning.