SOME quarters have been calling on the Department of Education (DepEd) to speed up the return to the old school calendar amid widespread suspension of classes because of the extreme heat.
The old school calendar used to run from June to March, with the school break from April to May. The DepEd had issued Department Order 3, series of 2024, ordering the gradual return to the old academic calendar with the opening of classes for the school year 2024-2025 set for July 29, 2024, and closing on May 16, 2025.
Undersecretary Michael Poa, the DepEd spokesman, had earlier told reporters that the department would return to the old school calendar beginning with the school year 2026-2027, when the classes would open in June.
But Teachers’ Dignity national coalition chairman Benjo Basas said there is still time for the DepEd to adjust the calendar year for school year 2024-2025. This will allow the classes to end in March and avoid having classes in April and May, the hottest months of the year.
“We think this is still doable. Because if we will still push through with allowing classes to run until May 16, 2025, we’re bound to experience the same dilemma as now — lots of schools will again have to shorten or suspend onsite classes in April and May to protect the students and teachers from the harmful effects of extreme heat,” Basas said.
He said that the DepEd should come up with an “optimal scheme” on how to go about adjusting the calendar for the school years 2024-2025. This includes incorporating various modes of delivery of the lessons without sacrificing the vacation of the teachers.
But if cutting short the vacation of teachers to prepare for a possible earlier date of class opening cannot be avoided, the DepEd must provide them with compensation. Basas suggested that this could take the form of additional service credits convertible to vacation leave or extra pay.
The two-month vacation of the teachers every school year cannot be compromised since this is mandated under the rules of the DepEd and the Civil Service Commission.
As of Friday, a total of 5,288 schools have suspended onsite classes due to extreme heat. The DepEd said that a total of 3.6 million students were affected by the onsite class suspensions. In Luzon, the heat index stood at 45 degrees Celsius.
This is well within the dangerous levels of the heat index, in which cramps and heat exhaustion are likely, and heat stroke is probable with continued exposure. And it could only get warmer as the adverse effects of climate change take their toll.
Earlier, the DepEd had reminded schools that they have the authority to suspend onsite classes and shift to alternative delivery modes of learning “in cases of extreme heat and other calamities that may compromise the health and safety of learners, teachers and non-teaching personnel.” However, online learning would still be difficult to do in cases of extreme heat.
Aside from the debilitating effects of the torrid weather, what are the other advantages of returning to the old school calendar?
The June-to-May calendar offers more time for academic planning and preparation. Educators can use the summer months for curriculum development, teacher training and other administrative tasks. This will ensure a smoother start to the academic year and enhance the delivery of quality education.
Moreover, this will allow students to have a longer summer break, allowing them ample time for rest, relaxation and participation in enrichment activities. A longer break can contribute to overall well-being and mental health and reduce burnout among students and educators alike.
With an extended summer break, students can also join summer programs, workshops, internships and other experiential learning opportunities. These activities can enrich their education, foster personal growth, and provide valuable skills and experiences that complement classroom teaching.
A longer summer break will allow families to spend quality time together, fostering stronger bonds and creating memories. It provides opportunities for travel, recreation and shared experiences that contribute to the overall well-being and happiness of families.
Lastly, the tourism and hospitality industries may benefit from a longer summer break, as families have more time and flexibility to travel and explore domestic destinations. Domestic tourism is on the upswing, and returning to the old school calendar can boost it further. In the process, this can stimulate economic growth, create more employment opportunities and support local businesses in our tourist destinations.