Even before it is finalized, the plan of the Department of Education (DepEd) to extend the current school year, has been getting negative feedback and reaction - mostly from netizens.
On Thursday, Feb. 18, netizens took social media sites by storm by expressing their opposition to DepEd’s plan to extend the school year 2020-2021. This is because the extension of the school year would mean adjustment in the academic calendar, thus shortening the scheduled “summer” vacation in April and May.
Twitter user with handle @swaggysebi said: “DepEd right now thinking that we can finish all of our activities/requirements and chores while being emotionally unstable.”
Another Twitter handle under @jjonggiggle said: “DepEd just really proved that they're anti-poor, ableist , and ignorant with this 2 week summer vacation.”
@jongseongflirts simply said: “DEPED has no consideration”
Other netizens also expressed concerns for their fellow students. Twitter user under handle @unlikanins said: “I'm privileged to have an environment where learning is more accessible and easier, but so many of my fellow Filipinos don't have this same opportunity. Education can be a struggle for so many people and can take such a big toll on mental health.”
In a separate post, @unlikanins: “idk what made DepEd believe that students and teachers have the mental capability to do school literally all year long during a GLOBAL CRISIS that NONE of us know how to handle, but they better reconsider.”
DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio told the Manila Bulletin on Tuesday, Feb. 16, that the agency’s key officials “are still discussing the matter” related to the extension of school year.
In a television interview on Wednesday, Feb. 17, San Antonio was quoted as saying that the DepEd is eyeing to shorten the two-month summer break of students into two weeks.
DepEd has yet to issue an official update on the matter as of this writing.
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Leonor Briones is expected to discuss this when she joins the press briefing of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque at 12:00 noon, Thursday, Feb. 18.