Written by Adrian Portugal
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines' sweltering heat can curb farm production, disrupt water and power, and weigh on businesses, but it is also hurting students and leaving neighboring countries behind in education. This is hindering the efforts of Southeast Asian countries to catch up.
In the Philippines, the El Niño weather phenomenon added to the heat that gripped the country during the summer months from March to May, with temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in various regions.
According to the International Student Assessment Program, an international survey of education systems, the Philippines has some of the lowest scores in the world in math, science and reading, partly due to years of inadequate remote learning during the pandemic. It is said that this is the cause.
“It's very hot right now. It's burning my skin, so it's different from normal (summer) heat, but it's not unbearable.'' said Kurt Mafusai, 23, a high school student who was suspended.
Thousands of schools have canceled classes due to the heat, affecting more than 3.6 million students, according to Education Ministry data.
“More class closures are expected in May due to the heatwave. With average temperatures above 52 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Celsius), you can imagine how stressful that will be for learners. ” said Save the Children Philippines Basic Education Advisor Xerxes Castro.
The heat, which is part of a heatwave across much of South and Southeast Asia and exacerbated by climate change, is making learning difficult for students.
According to Save the Children Philippines, children are especially susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as dizziness, vomiting and fainting when exposed to extreme heat for long periods of time.
Students and teachers have expressed concern about the difficulties of distance education and learning, especially in poorer areas where homes are not suitable for learning and may not have access to a good internet connection.
Esmaila Solaiman, a 20-year-old high school student whose studies were delayed due to the pandemic, said after attending online classes from home that the heat “made me dizzy and I couldn't concentrate.”
Students attending in-person classes in the capital, Manila, are relying on portable fans, notebooks and even cardboard boxes to provide some ventilation to help ease their mood.
“My blood pressure is already rising because of the heat,” said Memia Santos, a 62-year-old middle school teacher. She said, “My back gets wet and sometimes I feel dizzy.''
(Reporting by Adrian Portugal; Writing by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by William Mallard)