SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday urged school officials not to force students to come to school during high temperature.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education’s call came after reports that the heat index in some areas of the Philippines often breaches the danger threshold.

“Our teachers have the flexibility to conduct blended learning,” he reminded schools.

“That’s why my appeal to teachers is to not force students to come to school. I’ve seen that some areas in the country, such as Cagayan, record a 44 to 45ºC heat index,” he added.

According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, a heat index ranging from 42ºC to 51ºC is in the danger category as it can cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion.

To further explain his stance in layman’s term, Gatchalian compared the 44ºC to 45ºC heat index to a 37ºC body temperature.

“Someone with fever has a temperature of 37ºC. What a child feels is 44ºC to 45ºC. So what the child feels is beyond a fever. So let’s not force them because they might get dehydrated. We’ve read many instances where a child collapsed due to extreme heat,” he said.