Philippines’ old school calendar could return in 2025—Palace

Philippines’ old school calendar could return in 2025—Palace

AMIDST the worsening heatwave brought by El Niño, many schools in various parts of the Philippines have resorted to online classes to safeguard the health of students and teachers.

In relation to this, the Department of Education (DepEd) conducted consultations with various stakeholders regarding the proposed return to the previous school calendar, where classes would run from mid-June to the end of March, with April and May designated as school holidays, coinciding with the peak of the hot weather.

DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Cesar Bringas previously announced their submission of a letter to the Office of the President recommending the implementation of a shorter school year next year to expedite the return to the old school calendar or the June-March academic calendar.

During an ambush interview on Monday at an event in Pasay City, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr said he hopes to have the old school year calendar back by next year, and that he has requested Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to provide a concrete plan.

DepEd, under the leadership of VP Sara, had already announced plans for a gradual return to the pre-pandemic school year, which was altered in 2020 due to the imposed lockdown brought by COVID-19.

Vice President Sara Duterte emphasized that this move resulted from consultations with students.

In February, DepEd issued a “series of adjustments,” including the scheduled conclusion of School Year (SY) 2023-2024 on May 31.

This was based on the Department Order 3 series of 2024, which also aimed to implement a school break from June 1 to July 26, 2024. The order also outlined the subsequent School Year scheduled from July 29, 2024, to May 16, 2025.

Some parents believe that the old school calendar should be reinstated due to the adverse effects of intense heat on their children.

Several senators have expressed support for the proposal to revert to the old academic calendar.

Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. expressed his support for the plea of students, parents, teachers, and other school personnel to revert to the old calendar from June to March.

Revilla also emphasized the necessity to avoid having school days during hot months like April and May, which pose health risks to children.

“We want to revert the school year of students to the old schedule to avoid having classes during hot months like April and May,” Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. stated.

Senator Bong Go, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, also voiced his support for DepEd’s initiative, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the health and well-being of students.

“I am happy; gradually, the Department of Education will be returning the school calendar that we are accustomed to.”

“Because it really should align with the seasons. April and May are the months for resting that we need,” Sen. Bong Go, Chair, Senate Committee on Health stressed.

 

Follow SMNI NEWS in Twitter

Follow SMNI News on Rumble