As the new academic year approaches in the Philippines, parents like Rosanna are facing significant anxiety regarding the conditions their children will encounter in public schools. Preparing for her son’s first grade, Rosanna braved intense 44°C heat to shop for affordable supplies, reflecting a broader fear shared by millions of families. With the school year set to start on June 8, the combination of stifling temperatures and a chronic shortage of 165,000 classrooms has created a challenging environment. Critics, including the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, have highlighted that while government funds are often diverted elsewhere, the average classroom remains packed with 60 students—nearly triple the global recommendation—leaving children to endure dangerous conditions.

The situation is further exacerbated by the intensifying climate crisis, prompting UNICEF Philippines to warn that young students are uniquely vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and diminished academic performance. Despite these risks, the Department of Education has largely offloaded the burden of safety decisions to local school administrators, leading to widespread class suspensions throughout the year. Amidst this uncertainty, parents continue to do their best to equip their children, often turning to bargain districts to manage costs, while hoping that handheld fans and sheer resilience will be enough to get their children through a difficult school term.