JUNE 3 MARKS START OF SY 2019-2020

ELBERT S. MANALASTAS

The Department of Education (DepEd) has already announced that classes for School Year (SY) 2019-2020 in public schools nationwide is on June 3, Monday.

The DepEd said that the first day of classes in public elementary and secondary schools is under Republic Act No. 7797 or “an act to lengthen the school calendar from 200 days to not more than 220 class days.”

RA 7797, Section 3 (Start of the School Year) further states “The school year shall start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August.”

To help ensure the smooth opening of classes in all public schools nationwide this coming June, the DepEd has also announced the launching of the national Oplan Balik Eskwela for SY 2019-2020.

Oplan Balik Eskwela will be from May 27 to June 7, 2019, as per the memorandum ordered by Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

Briones explained in the memo signed March 13, 2019, the Oplan Balik Eskwela is the education department's yearly initiative to “engage agencies, organizations, and all other stakeholders in preparation for the opening of the school year. The Oplan Balik Eskwela is part of the Department’s efforts to ensure that learners are already properly enrolled and able to attend school on the first day of classes.”

Also, prior to opening of classes, schools across the country will conduct their respective Brigada Eskwela to ensure that school facilities and surroundings, are well-prepared and spruced up.

The Brigada Eskwela is conducted with the help of volunteers and education stakeholders through the “bayanihan” style of working together to achieve the goal of delivering quality education for all.

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The author is Teacher II at Pampanga High School