Beating the Heat: School Calendar to Move Back to June

With summers getting hotter and heat waves getting worse, the Department of Education (DepEd) is preparing to move the school calendar back to June to avoid conducting classes during the months with the highest temperatures (March to May).

The decision to begin the school year in August was first made in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Then Education Secretary Leonor Briones declared that S.Y. 2020-2021 would commence on August 24, 2020, due to stringent lockdown measures nationwide. However, Former President Rodrigo Duterte later approved the DepEd's recommendation to move the opening of classes to October 5, or six weeks after, to give the education department more time to prepare.

This sparked changes in the succeeding school years, leading to classes starting around September 2021 and in August of the following two years.

However, last February 19, DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte signed the Department Order No. 003, series of 2024, which revised the end date of the academic year 2023-2024. The original end date of June 14 was moved up by two weeks to May 31. Additionally, the school break for 2024 is scheduled to run from only June 1 to July 26, or less than two months. Academic Year 2024-2025 is expected to begin this coming July 29 and end on May 16, 2025.

From S.Y. 2024-2025 onwards, the school calendar will undergo a gradual adjustment to an earlier class opening date. Based on DepEd's projected timeline, it is anticipated that by the academic year 2027-2028, classes will revert to the pre-pandemic schedule of June to March.

DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa also highlighted that this change was based on the results of surveys and consultations on the preferences of the citizens. 

Meanwhile, MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) will be adopting the changes proposed by DepEd, following the gradual return to the June-March school calendar to minimize drastic changes in the school community.  This will start with a July 29 opening of classes.

Since 2016, MGCNLCA has adhered to an August-May school calendar. With the school set to transition back to an earlier class opening nearly eight years later, School Principal Evangeline Co stated, “We've prioritized clear communication. We informed the school community in February about the upcoming changes, allowing everyone to adjust their schedules accordingly and prepare for the new school year.”

Co sees the change as a positive opportunity for reflection and improvement. She emphasizes the importance of learning from the current calendar shift to ensure future changes are “sustainable.” Co believes it is crucial to address concerns like class suspensions due to typhoons and other disasters more effectively. Reflecting on the past, she notes that while the shift aimed to mitigate these issues, it proved short-sighted as disasters now occur year-round.

Additionally, Co acknowledges that the desire to align with international standards has not met expectations, primarily due to funding constraints rather than the calendar itself. 

“I remain hopeful that future calendar adjustments can be more successful. Coordination between DepEd and CHED is essential to ensure smooth transitions for students from basic education to higher education. By working together, these agencies will be able to create a calendar that better serves the needs of all students,” said Co.

Sources:

newsinfo.inquirer.net/1907294/deped-gradual-return-to-old-school-calendar-starting-sy-2024-2025

www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/deped-to-slowly-revert-to-old-school-calendar#google_vignette

Interview with Mrs. Evangeline L. Co