Manila, Sept. 17 -- The Department of Education (DepEd) is urging local government units to make class suspensions as specific and localized as possible as some schools have lost more than 20 learning days due to disruptions since the opening of the school year.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said Thursday that localized suspensions would allow schools in unaffected areas to continue in-person classes while ensuring the safety of learners in areas facing risks.

"Our request is simple: be specific when you suspend. If the risk is limited to certain areas, identifying those areas can help schools in unaffected areas continue learning," Angara said in a statement.

As of Sept. 11, school divisions nationwide had lost an average of four learn...