Honduras has partially suspended in-person classes due to an extreme heatwave and poor air quality.

From Monday, May 11th to Tuesday, May 12th, public schools must operate on a reduced schedule as part of new official guidelines. (Archive photo) The government of Honduras has decided to temporarily modify academic activities in the public education system in response to the intense heat wave and environmental pollution problems affecting various regions of the Central American country. The Ministry of Education announced this Sunday that public schools will implement reduced schedules and virtual classes during the current week, in response to alerts issued by the National Risk Management and Contingency Secretariat (Copeco), the agency responsible for climate monitoring and emergencies in Honduras. The measure was formalized through circular CIR-025-SE-2026, issued by the Ministerial Office, which establishes exceptional measures to protect the health of students, teachers, and administrative staff in the face of rising temperatures and deteriorating air quality in various parts of Honduras. According to education officials, on Monday, May 11th and Tuesday, May 12th, academic activities must be carried out on a reduced schedule in all public schools, maintaining the schedules already established by each institution. Subsequently, from Wednesday, May 13th to Friday, May 15th, classes will be held virtually to reduce the exposure of the student population to the extreme weather conditions affecting the country. The Ministry of Education explained that during the virtual sessions, essential academic activities will be prioritized to ensure the continuity of the teaching process without compromising the well-being of students. From Wednesday, May 13th to Friday, May 15th, classes will be held virtually. This adjustment comes in the context of high temperatures that have affected several nations in Central America in recent weeks. In Honduras, risk management authorities have warned about high heat indices, prolonged exposure to heat, and respiratory risks associated with environmental pollution and the presence of smoke in some areas. Experts warn that children, the elderly, and people with respiratory illnesses are among the most vulnerable groups under these conditions, which is why various public institutions have begun to adopt preventive measures. Regarding private and non-governmental educational institutions, the Ministry of Education stated that each institution must evaluate its infrastructure conditions before determining whether to maintain regular in-person classes. Aspects to be reviewed include adequate classroom ventilation, the availability of drinking water, and the implementation of protective measures for students, teachers, and administrative staff. Students from the Esteban Mendoza school are seen in Tegucigalpa (Honduras). EFE/Gustavo Amador. Schools with safe environments can continue operating normally. Institutions that do not meet the necessary conditions must adopt preventive measures to avoid affecting the health of the educational community. The circular also instructs departmental, municipal, and district directors to supervise compliance with the provisions and ensure that the measures are properly communicated in all schools in the country. Honduras faces seasons of high temperatures and prolonged droughts each year, phenomena that have intensified in recent years due to the effects of climate change. International organizations have warned that Central America is one of the regions most vulnerable to extreme weather events, a situation that is beginning to impact key sectors such as education, health, and water supply.