Manila, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) has put forth a proposal to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for an accelerated adjustment of the academic calendar, concluding the 2024-2025 school year as early as March 2025. This initiative is in response to increasing demands for a return to the traditional April-May school vacation period, as both students and teachers struggle with the ongoing heatwave affecting the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, the department has submitted several options to the Office of the President, including this more aggressive calendar change. The proposed adjustment would result in a shortened academic year and condensed vacation periods, potentially impacting the rest periods for students and educators.
The assistant secretary indicated that to meet educational requirements within the compressed timeframe, the DepEd might need to implement alternative delivery modes (ADMs) or hold classes on Saturdays. Specifically, the number of in-person class days would decrease to 165, falling short of the usual 180-day minimum. This reduction would also affect the proportional vacation pay for public school teachers, calculated based on the total number of school days.
Previously, in February, the DepEd had suggested a gradual return to the previous school calendar through Department Order 3, series of 2024, scheduling the end of the 2023-2024 school year for May 31, followed by a break from June 1 to July 26. The following school year was planned to start on July 29, 2024, and end on May 16, 2025.
Additionally, Bringas highlighted challenges in managing school operations based on the heat index forecasts provided by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The current system, which leaves local government units and school administrators to interpret these forecasts, often results in arbitrary decisions about whether to hold in-person classes or switch to ADMs.
He emphasized the need for a more scientific approach to guide the actions of schools and local governments, similar to protocols established for typhoon preparedness. In the meantime, some schools have adjusted their schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day, holding classes early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
As of April, the most common forms of ADM were blended learning, modular teaching, and online classes, with a significant impact on several million learners across the country.