Private schools air concern on shift of school calendar

By

An association of private schools expressed concern on the possibility of the school calendar shift in basic education level, noting that this is not advisable for both learners and teachers.

Following the directive from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) enjoining all State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) to adjust their academic calendars and move to August the opening of classes, the Federation of Associations of Private Schools & Administrators (FAPSA) is worried that the Department of Education (DepEd) may follow suit.

“Colleges and universities have decided to change their school calendar from June to August but for the private schools in basic education,” said FAPSA President Eleazardo Kasilag.

Kasilag said most administrators of the FAPSA will “still stick to June to March” and appealed to DepEd not to

“tinker around it.”

FAPSA is holding planning session in Baguio this weekend to talk about the possibility of moving the school calendar to August.

“Some private schools do not understand the rationale behind the shift while others claimed it is ‘internationalizing’ enrollment to cater to students from other countries,” Kasilag said.

However, Kasilag noted that moving the school opening to August would mean that schools will have to hold classes during the dry season or “summer” months. With the hot weather, he said that “this shift is simply laughable and unless the schools provide air-condition systems in each clasroom.

Holding classes in schools given the scorching weather, Kasilag said, “is never conducive to learning.” He added that if heat stroke harms students and teachers, “the school is exposing itself to some legal problems.”

Based on Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) data, a heat index between 41 to 54 degrees Celsius “could have dangerous effects on the human body, including heat cramps and heat exhaustion” and “heat stroke is also probable.”

One of the reasons cited by CHED in directing the academic calendar shift is student mobility but for FAPSA “student and faculty mobility is not that overflowing” to implement the drastic shift when it comes to the school calendar.

Meanwhile, Kasilag expressed hope that the DepEd will not jump into the “bandwagon craze” and be “sensible” about the possible implications of moving the school calendar.

Earlier, Education Secretary Leonor Briones assured that DepEd will not move the school calendar for basic education this School Year (SY) 20192020. The school calendar for this school year has also been released through DepEd Order No. 007 series of 2019 which states that the opening of classes in public schools will be on June 3.