Fr. Joaquin Jose Mari C. Sumpaico, SJ
Vice President for Basic Education

Mr. Jervy M. Robles
Headmaster, Ateneo Grade School 

Gentlemen:

As concerned parents of students at AGS, we wish to express our deep concern regarding the recurring class suspensions caused by inclement weather during this academic year. While we understand the challenges posed by frequent weather disruptions, we believe that the school's current lack of flexibility in shifting to online classes is severely impacting our children's education and long-term learning experience.

We respectfully urge the school administration to implement and prepare a robust online learning system that can be activated swiftly during suspension periods. Relying solely on announcements from the Quezon City LGU, which has repeatedly stated that private schools may exercise their own discretion in suspending classes, is not sufficient. AGS must take the initiative to assess weather conditions independently and make timely decisions to safeguard the continuity of learning.

It is important to note that:

• The DILG recently issued an official statement regarding the recent series of class suspensions and said that "the best compromise is to allow flexibility to shift to online classes whenever the government announces a suspension." 
• Department of Education Order No. 22, s. 2024, and Quezon City Memorandum Circular No. 3, s. 2025, explicitly grant private schools the discretion to determine their own guidelines and suspend classes based on their assessment.
• The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that online learning is an effective and valuable alternative delivery mode when face-to-face classes are not feasible.
• Other schools, including AGS’s sister school, Xavier School, regularly hold online classes to keep teachers and students prepared and ready to shift seamlessly to remote learning if needed.

Currently, much of the necessary infrastructure for online learning is already in place at AGS. The key to mitigating the frequent disruptions is not merely having the technical capacity but also fostering the willingness and flexibility to shift to remote learning promptly. This requires a proactive approach and a mindset prepared to prioritize continuous education over waiting for external advice or official announcements.

To prevent educational disruption and ensure that our children’s learning is prioritized, we request that AGS:

1. Establish clear protocols for transitioning to online classes when conditions warrant, such as (but not limited to) heavy rains and typhoons, extreme heat, and low air quality.
2. Make independent decisions regarding class suspensions (rather than solely relying on external announcements) with the aim of communicating to the AGS community at the earliest opportunity.

This petition calls for proactive measures to protect our children’s right to continuous education. We believe that with proper preparation and a willingness to adapt quickly, AGS can lead by example in embracing flexible learning modalities that benefit our students in times of unexpected disruptions.

Thank you for your attention and prompt action on this matter.

Sincerely,

Concerned Parents and Members of the AGS Community