A man douses himself with water along a street as hot temperatures continue in Manila, Philippines. / Photo: AP
The Philippines will suspend in-person classes in all public schools for two days due to extreme heat and a nationwide strike by jeepney drivers, the education department has said. "In view of the latest heat index forecast... and the announcement of a nationwide transport strike, all public schools nationwide shall implement asynchronous classes/distance learning on April 29 and 30, 2024," the department said on Sunday on Facebook.
Many schools have no air-conditioning, leaving students to swelter in crowded, poorly ventilated classrooms. In addition, some jeepney drivers also plan to hold a three-day nationwide strike starting on Monday to protest the government's plan to phase out the smoke-belching vehicles used by many Filipinos to commute to work and school.