The Department of Education (DepEd) has confirmed its plan to revert to the old school calendar. In a recent meeting of the House basic education committee, Leila Areola, director of DepEd’s Bureau of Learning Delivery, announced that the school year for 2024-2025 will start on July 29 and end on March 31, 2025. This change is in preparation for the following school year, 2025-2026, which will commence in June.
Areola also mentioned that the DepEd is considering conducting classes on certain Saturdays. This decision is still subject to consultation with parents, teachers, and students. The aim is to cover some competencies that might not be covered with the reduction of the school year.
House basic education committee Rep. Roman Romulo supported the decision, stating, “This is the fault of nobody. Sa totoo lang, talagang ang init talaga e, hirap talaga ang ating mga estudyante and teachers. Again this is good there is an aggressive push already by the Department of Education to return to the old calendar.”
Vladimer Quetua, chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, welcomed the decision to revert to the old school calendar, pointing out how teachers have suffered from the extreme weather. However, Quetua expressed concern over holding weekly Saturday classes.
In response to these concerns, Areola clarified that the plan is not to conduct classes every Saturday but only five or four Saturdays a quarter. Consultations will still be held with relevant stakeholders before finalizing this plan.
Quetua expressed apprehension about the Saturday classes, saying, “Kinakabahan lang namin sa narinig namin dito ay yung Saturday classes, asynchronous. Ang tanong na lang although magkakaroon pa ng konsultasyon, ay baka isagad naman ito sa 220 days… baka naman pwedeng sa initial, Mr. Chair, pwede namang alternate siguro sa initial yung asynchronous kung 2 Saturdays yun sa loob ng isang buwan.”
Areola reassured the committee, stating, “Actually Mr. Chair as I mentioned earlier I said it’s not going to be every Saturday… it’s something that we still have to talk it out with relevant stakeholders especially our learners, our parents, and that of our teachers. So there’s going to be consultation, Mr. Chair, that will happen before we even finalize this.”
The decision to revert to the old school calendar is a significant move by the DepEd, reflecting its commitment to adapt to the needs and concerns of its stakeholders. The consultations with parents, teachers, and students will ensure that the transition is smooth and beneficial for all parties involved.