Facing Climate Change: How Philippine Schools are Embracing Early Holidays and Gaining Support from Students and Families

In the sweltering heat of Manila, kindergarten teacher Lolita Akim juggles five fans to keep her students cool and focused. The temperature can be unbearable, especially for young children.

Last year was particularly tough. Unprecedented heatwaves forced schools to close, marking the first instance of widespread class cancellations due to extreme weather in the Philippines. This led the education system to adjust, starting school two months earlier to finish before May’s peak temperatures.

Changes to classroom schedules are now in place. Schools aim to avoid the hottest parts of the day and have set up water stations and additional fans. These measures are part of broader efforts to help kids cope with the growing effects of climate change, even when resources are stretched thin.

As Akim points out, keeping young children engaged in the heat is no easy feat. “They get soaked with sweat, can’t sit still, and it’s hard to hold their attention,” she explains. Last year’s record highs reached a staggering 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.4 degrees Fahrenheit), causing around six million students to miss up to two weeks of classes. Schools reported instances of heat exhaustion and even hospitalizations due to the extreme conditions.

According to scientists, this spike in temperature is closely linked to climate change, heavily driven by fossil fuel use. The situation worsened last year with the El Niño phenomenon, which added to the heat stress. This year hasn’t brought much relief either; many schools closed for days when the heat index reached dangerous levels.

Wilmer Agustin from the national weather service notes, “It’s been getting exceptionally warm lately. The rise in temperatures is not just a temporary spike.” Projections suggest that many schools will face similar heat extremes this April and May.

In response to the challenges posed by heat, schools have reduced class hours to four and installed more cooling systems. They’ve also implemented new policies, such as moving away from strict uniform requirements. As one principal explained, students now wear lighter clothing donations instead of traditional uniforms.

Despite these adjustments, the realities of education in Manila remain difficult. The education department’s climate adaptation budget is limited to about 10 billion pesos (roughly $174 million), which falls short given the pressing need—especially with an estimated shortage of 18,000 classrooms in the capital.

Students like eleven-year-old Ella Azumi Araza face daily challenges. She can only attend school four days a week due to overcrowding. On days off, she studies at home in cramped conditions with her family. I worry about her health at school. She often comes home coughing,” her mother shares, emphasizing the need for care in this heat.

In a nearby class, eighth-graders combat the heat with tiny, rechargeable fans, but many in the room still struggle with discomfort. Teacher Rizzadel Manzano adds that motivating students in these conditions is a challenge. “It’s hard to teach when it’s so hot,” she says, highlighting a common struggle among educators in these crowded environments.

Research shows that extreme heat can hinder student learning significantly, affecting focus and retention. A recent study found that over 60% of students in warm climates reported difficulties concentrating during lessons in high temperatures. With these statistics in mind, the importance of effective cooling solutions in schools becomes even more critical.

As Manila grapples with the impacts of climate change, its educators and students navigate heat challenges with creativity and resilience. Each small change in their routines reflects a larger battle against rising temperatures and its effects on learning.

Source link