DepEd welcomes law adjusting school calendar

Myrna Yamzon Fabian

JUST the other day, our President has signed into law a measure that will allow the chief executive to reschedule the start of the class opening, in an event of a state of emergency or state of calamity.

Amid the pandemic, he signed Republic Act No. 11480, amending Republic Act 7797, which mandates the opening of classes between the first Monday of June until the last day of August.

The Department of Education has welcomed the signing of the law amid the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, saying the agency has been consulted and conferred with the President and the legislators throughout the process.

According to the DepEd, they will issue the corresponding implementing rules and regulations (IRR) soonest as required by the law.

It also expressed gratitude to the President, Senators and members of the House of Representatives for the quick and timely passage of the law.

The last approved date of the opening of classes by Duterte is August 24, and it can only be changed upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Education to the President and after requisites of Section 2 (of RA 11480) are met.

Section 2 of RA 11480 refers to the IRR which must be issued in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

According to the law, “The school year shall start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August. Provided, that in the event of a declaration of a state of emergency or state of calamity, the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Education, may set a different date for the start of the school year in the country or parts thereof.”

“In the exercise of this authority, the Secretary of Education may authorize the holding of Saturday classes for elementary and secondary levels for public and private schools,” it also read.

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The author is Teacher III at Belen Homesite Elementary School