Public School Students in Negros Occidental Allowed Civilian Attire Due to Humid Weather
The Department of Education has allowed public school students in Negros Occidental to wear civilian attire due to hot and humid weather conditions.
On March 5, 2024, the Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) implemented a Civilian Attire policy for all students due to the surging heat index reported by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
NOHS Principal IV Josette Terorra explained that students’ attire is limited to white, light-colored, and lightweight shirts under the school’s dress code. Female students are allowed to wear maroon skirts, while male students can wear khaki pants.
Sir Ian Arnold Arnaiz, the Public Information Officer of DepEd Negros Occidental Division, explained that allowing students to wear civilian attire aims to prevent them from suffering the effects of scorching heat brought on by El Niño.
The announcement is part of their strategy to protect the students’ well-being. Arnaiz referred to DepEd Order No. 065 series of 2010, which states that wearing a school uniform is not mandatory for all students in public schools to ease additional expenses for parents.
Arnaiz clarified that the civilian attire students wear to school should be decent and easily recognizable by security personnel stationed at the entrance gates.
According to data from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) PAGASA for March, Roxas City in Capiz and Dumangas in Iloilo recorded temperatures of 42 degrees Celsius, while La Granja in Negros Occidental recorded temperatures of 39 degrees Celsius.
The decision shows that the educational institutions aim to create an effective learning environment while ensuring the students’ comfort and safety amid challenging weather conditions.
In a previous post, a farmer in Leyte dies of cardiac arrest due to intense heat
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