Revised Guidelines on Cancellation or Suspension of Classes in Higher Education (HE Memo#Y3.15)

HE Memo#Y3.15
17 March 2025

I hope everyone is sailing along this semester without much disruption. Here, however, let me address anew what is asked of us when disruptions are before us.

There are various public policies that schools and universities are asked to adhere to when it comes to suspension or cancellation of classes (that means both lecture and lab classes).  Four policies are currently in place; the last of the four applies only to Basic Education.

1. Executive Order 66 (2012):  Section 2:  Localized Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices
2. CHED Memo 15 (2012):  Amendment to CMO 34, series of 2010 titled “Clarificatory Guidelines for the Suspension of Classes in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) Due to Typhoons/Storms, Flooding, and Other Weather Disturbances”
3. LEB Memo 18 (2018):  Guidelines on Cancellation or Suspension of Classes in Law Schools [and reiterated in LEB Memo 46 (2019)]
4. DepEd Order 022 (2024):  Revised Guidelines on Class Suspension in Schools During Disasters and Emergencies

Based on the essential features of these government policies, the Ateneo de Manila Higher Education (HE) makes the following guidelines on class modality and arrangements during inclement weather and any other forms of disruptions that impact teaching and learning.

A.   Automatic shifting from onsite to online classes

When a declaration of class suspensions is made by national or local governments, we generally interpret this to mean as suspension of onsite classes.  However, if, for some reason, the suspension expressly says "onsite and online classes," we have to follow the directive and suspend classes in toto.

One of our hopes post-pandemic was that we would be more resilient to disruptions precisely due to these class suspensions owing to natural disasters (which are expected to increase in frequency) and political events (strikes, SONA, etc.). In general, thus, unless the modality is clearly specified, when classes are suspended, we automatically shift to the online mode (either synchronous or asynchronous, depending on the individual instructor). The caveat is that such decisions must always take into consideration the specific contexts of both students and instructor at the time. For example, students should not be penalized if they have valid reasons that prevent them from attending online classes or completing online tasks. The instructor also has the option not to have anything online if s/he discerns that it is not necessary to do so.

In higher education, we leverage what we have learned from the pandemic, allowing us to draw from our post-pandemic, wider repertoire of learning/teaching modalities.  We also leave room for discernment so that we adequately take into consideration the student's or the instructor's situation whatever the instructor decides to do judiciously, with clearance of the plans from the Department Chair or Program Director.

B.    Response to any Government Announcement on Automatic Cancellation or Suspension of Classes (See Item A for a nuanced response)

1. Automatic cancellation of classes when PAG-ASA raises the typhoon signal to number 3 or beyond. In an HE school’s satellite campus location (e.g. for AGSB) or in offsite classes located in other parts of the country (e.g. for ASOG) where the PAG-ASA announcement does not apply, classes will continue there as scheduled.   
2. Automatic shift to online teaching/learning mode when local governments declare localized suspension of classes due to typhoons, earthquakes, inordinate rainfall and flooding, dangerous air quality index levels, dangerous heat index level, and other climate-related emergencies, based on their own disaster risk assessment that includes input from PAGASA, PHILVOCS, and the EMB-DENR. Schools located in the concerned city and/or municipality follow the local government directives.
3. No further announcements may be made by the Higher Education Cluster once official announcements on class cancellations or suspensions by PAG-ASA, the national government, and/or local governments have been publicly issued.  The pertinent response to such announcements in view of teaching and learning should be guided by the internal protocols as described in this document.

C.    On Non-Automatic Cancellation or Suspension of Classes

1. In the event that LGUs or the National Government do not themselves cancel classes locally, regionally, or nationally during inclement weather conditions, other weather disturbances, and other environmental conditions, and for any other reason which might call for a cancellation or suspension of classes, the following Higher Education administrators shall be responsible for making such a decision for their respective schools:
   • VP for Higher Education:  for graduate and undergraduate classes in SOH, SOSS, SOSE, JGSOM, GBSEALD
   • Respective Deans:  AGSB, ALS, ASMPH, ASOG
2. Announcement of such class cancellations will be made not later than 4:30 AM of the day of the intended cancellation of classes, or not later than 11:00 AM for suspension of classes in the afternoon session.
3. Following its consultation with unit and school heads, the University Marketing and Communications Office (UMCO) will post such non-automatic declarations of cancellation or suspension of classes on the University’s official media channels.

D.   Implications for Student Activities

Cancellations or suspensions of classes include also the suspension of all student activities onsite. Students can make their own arrangements to carry out their activities online.

I trust in the cooperation and support of everyone in the community. Ultimately, it is our desire that we spared from any untoward events that disrupt our lives.  We continue to pray for protection and care.