Policy responses to extreme heat and its impact on education: The Philippine experience

Abstract

This paper investigates the experiences and impacts of extreme heat on the Philippine education system during the “summer” seasons of 2023 and 2024, drawing on publicly available data and news reports. It critically examines government responses to the unprecedented challenges posed by emerging extreme heat conditions as part of the new climate normal. Various policy measures were implemented by government agencies to mitigate the adverse effects on students and teachers, including face-to-face class suspensions, shifts to alternative instructional methods, adjusted class schedules, and discussions on returning to the traditional school calendar. However, significant gaps and challenges persist in these responses, underscoring the need for time-consistent policies focused on creating conducive learning environments. The establishment of heat response plans for educational institutions and the development of improved location-specific heat indices are essential to adapt to this new climate reality and minimize the disruption of educational activities.