Classes suspended anew; Consolacion defends move to keep classes

Local

SEVERAL areas in Metro Cebu suspended face-to-face classes again for Wednesday, Oct. 14, due to poor air quality.

It’s the second time this week local governments forego in-person classes as worsening air pollution poses risks to young students.

But not all followed suit.

Cebu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, Lapu-Lapu City, and the municipalities of Cordova, San Fernando, Minglanilla and Liloan instructed schools to conduct alternative modalities for Wednesday after air pollution reached unhealthy levels.

In Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival also reminded students not to treat the suspension of in-person classes as a break, emphasizing that the shift to online or asynchronous classes were meant to ensure continuity of education.

“While it’s okay to take some time to rest and recharge, let’s also remember that learning doesn’t stop when classes are suspended,” Archival said.

The mayor also asked students to continue their studies and keep learning even while at home.

“So, mohangyo lang ko ninyo, isip inyong Mayor nga magpadayon gihapon ta sa pagkat-on bisan suspended ang atong mga klase. Dili kinahanglan nga naa ta sa classroom aron makakat-on, kay daghan pa kitag makat-unan bisan asa ta,” added Archival.

Meanwhile, in Consolacion, its local government decided not to suspend face-to-face classes, saying successive interruptions may negatively impact children’s education.

“While air quality continues to change drastically, we can no longer afford to continuously suspend classes,” the LGU stated in an advisory.

“Ang padayon nga pagsuspende sa klase makaapekto sa literacy rate sa atong mga kabataan,” it added.

Air quality index (AQI) in Cebu began to deteriorate to “very unhealthy” levels on Tuesday evening when the suspension of face-to-face classes were announced.

From 162 on Tuesday, it worsened to 190 on Wednesday morning, based on the latest monitoring from the Environmental Management Bureau-Central Visayas (EMB-7).

EMB-7 attributed the air pollution to local pollutants, aggravated by cooler weather brought by the northeast monsoon (locally known as amihan),

“Very low winds spreads also keep the particulate matter from dispersing,” the agency said.

Under the very unhealthy category, young children, elderly and those with existing cardio and respiratory problems are advised to stay indoors.(RBE)