Almost 4,000 schools in Philippines shift to online learning due to intense heat

Manila [Philippines], April 4: Sweltering weather has forced 3,954 schools across the Philippines to implement alternative delivery modes of learning to protect the students from the high heat index, the government said Wednesday.
The Philippines' Department of Education (DepEd) said many schools opted to ditch face-to-face classes, so students can study from home instead of going to school and avoid exposure to the hot weather.
The DepEd said the number of schools translates to more than 1.3 million learners in 11 regions, including Metro Manila.
The Department of Health also warned the public against heat-related illnesses that become more prevalent with extreme temperatures.
"Prolonged heat exposure increases the probability of heat stroke, a serious condition characterized by loss of consciousness, confusion, or seizures, which can be deadly if left untreated," the health department said.
Heat index temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius were logged in some provinces from March 28 to April 1. Those conditions are forecast to persist in the coming days, local media reported.
Source: Xinhua