THE DEPARTMENT of Education on Sunday said that classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and work in public schools will be automatically canceled in areas under any public storm signal.

Based on the revised DepEd Order 37, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpip said that physical and online classes, work and Alternative Learning System are suspended in schools located in areas where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals 1, 2 ,3, 4, or 5 were raised by the weather bureau.

Classes and work will also be suspended from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in schools situated in areas under an Orange or Red Rainfall Warning or Flood Warning.

“Local chief executives may decide on class suspensions if their local government unit is under Yellow Rainfall Warning from the state weather bureau,” she said.

“If the TCWS, Rainfall Warning, or Flood Warning was issued when classes have already begun, schools shall immediately suspend classes and work, and send everyone home, if it is safe to do so,” she added.

However, schools should keep the students and personnel inside if traveling becomes unsafe for them.

Local chief executives also have the authority to suspend classes in cases where there are strong winds, torrential rains, or floods in areas not covered by typhoon or flood warning.

Private schools, community learning centers, state and local universities and colleges have the option to follow the department order.