AMENDING THE SCHOOL CALENDAR

MARIA JONELLE T. PARAS

Officials have expressed support to the Department of Education's amendment of the school calendar gradually reverting to the pre-pandemic April-May school break. Officials noted how teachers and learners endure the current school calendar's higher number of days with extremely hot temperatures. Reverting to the old school calendar will help uphold the safety and well-being of both our teachers and learners, the agency said. They are grateful for heeding the call of teachers, learners, and relevant stakeholders in returning to the old school calendar. DepEd issued Order No. 3 s. 2024, which amends the basic education school calendar as a "significant step" to a gradual shift to April-May school break. The current school break is set from June 1 to July 26 while the start of the school year 20242025 is set for July 29 which will then end on May 16, 2025. A Pulse Asia survey conducted from June 19 to 23 last year showed that 80 percent of the 1,200 respondents agreed to bring back the learners’ summer break to April and May. Officials also noted that during a public hearing conducted last year, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services pointed out that the current school calendar coincides with fewer days of extreme rainfall and fewer cancellations of classes due to tropical cyclones. DepEd's revert to the old school calendar is a result of consultations with parents, teachers and other basic education stakeholders who indicated a preference for a June school opening to avoid holding classes during the dry season from April to May.

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III at Pampang Elementary School

author is Teacher