The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Tuesday that it is advocating for an earlier conclusion to the school year 2024-2025, attributing the decision to the intense heat affecting learners.
Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas, the spokesperson for DepEd, stated that the department has forwarded a letter to the Office of the President outlining their proposal. This move is in response to the growing demand for a quicker return to the April-May school break.
“Despite the gradual return to the old school calendar starting SY 2024-2025, the Department has already submitted a letter to the Office of the President presenting other options, including more aggressive alternatives of ending the school year 2024-2025 in March,” Bringas explained during a Senate panel briefing.
According to the DepEd’s order issued in February, the proposed duration of the school year 2024-2025 will run from July 29 to March 24. This adjustment aims to revert the school calendar to the previous June to March setting.
Furthermore, Bringas clarified that there will no longer be make-up classes for the remaining weeks of the school year 2023-2024. Days when alternative delivery modes (ADM) were implemented will be counted as regular school days. “No more additional make-up classes because while they are on ADM, those are counted as school days,” Bringas added.
In addition to these changes, the DepEd plans to hold a non-mandatory National Learning Camp to supplement the lessons that students received during the days when ADM was implemented. This initiative is part of DepEd’s efforts to enhance interactive education and ensure that students receive comprehensive learning despite the changes in the school calendar.