Sweltering heat in the Philippines can curb farm production, disrupt water and power and weigh on businesses, but it also takes a toll on students, hampering the Southeast Asian nation's efforts to catch up to its neighbors in education.

Manila

Sweltering temperatures in the Philippines have forced a significant disruption in the educational system, contributing to the broader crisis faced by students in the nation. Recent days have seen heat indices soaring to 122 degrees Fahrenheit in some regions, attributed to the El Nino phenomenon exacerbating the humid summer conditions that begin in March. This intense heatwave has prompted thousands of schools to suspend classes, impacting over 3.6 million students. This situation adds to the existing challenges in the Philippine education sector, which, as per an international study, already lags behind in key areas such as maths, science, and reading. The study points to years of inadequate remote learning during the pandemic as a factor in the low rankings.

Students and educators alike are feeling the brunt of the relentless heat. Senior high school student, 23-year-old Kurt Mahuse, describes the current temperatures as "unbearable," significantly affecting his ability to stay outdoors. This sentiment is echoed by Medea Santos, an independent high school teacher, who reports that the extreme conditions make teaching a struggle, affecting her health and hampering her ability to conduct lessons effectively.

Compounding the issue is the warning from local meteorologists that the heat may not only persist but has a 50% chance of intensifying. With temperatures around Manila forecasted to hit nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and heat indices projected to reach a dangerous 113 degrees, the risk of heat-related illnesses such as dizziness, vomiting, and fainting increases, particularly among children. This is according to Save the Children Philippines, which highlights the vulnerability of children to such extreme weather conditions. The ongoing heatwave threatens further academic disruption, especially in areas where educational resources like gadgets and internet access are already limited.



Students suffer in the Philippines' scorching heat

Heat indices say it's felt like a whopping 122 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the Philippines in recent days, as El Nino ratchets up humid summer heat that began in March. As a result, thousands of schools have suspended classes because of sweltering temperatures, affecting more than 3.6 million students, according to official data. It's another in a series of obstacles facing children in the Philippines, according to an international study of education systems. It scores among the lowest in the world in maths, science, and reading, partly because of years of inadequate remote learning during the pandemic. Twenty-three-year-old student Kurt Mahuse is a senior in high school after his education stalled during lockdowns. Now, he says the heat is unbearable. KURT MAHUSE, Student, El Nino High School, Philippines Here in the Philippines, it's extremely hot now. The heat burns my skin. It's not like the usual summer heat that is tolerable. Now I can barely stay long out in the heat. It's part of a band of heat spreading across South and Southeast Asia this year, exacerbated by El Nino and climate change, and it makes it harder for children to simply learn. According to Save the Children Philippines, children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses including dizziness, vomiting, and fainting when exposed to extreme heat for long periods. Independent high school teacher Medea Santos says it's become a struggle to get through the workday. MEDEA SANTOS, Student, El Nino High School, Philippines We are also affected. For example, me at my age, when the temperature is really high, my blood pressure shoots up. I have to make sure that I take my medicine every day for my blood pressure and maintenance. When teaching, we are also affected because it is uncomfortable. Because of the extreme heat, my back gets soaked with sweat, and sometimes I get very dizzy. Local media say the relentless heat is not expected to dissipate and has a 50% chance of intensifying this week. Students and teachers are worried about how much more learning they will lose out on, especially in areas where access to gadgets and the internet is sporadic and sparse. The state weather agency on Monday forecast that temperatures in the area around Manila could reach nearly 100 degrees in the next three days, while the heat index, what the body actually feels, is expected to remain higher at a record 113 degrees, in the range which it classifies as dangerous because conditions can trigger heatstroke from prolonged exposure.

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