A group of private schools is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to clarify if they could be allowed to end the school year earlier than public schools, and how they can implement changes in their academic calendars.
The Federation of Associations of Private Schools Administrators (FAPSA), on Friday, Feb. 19, said that the DepEd should issue a clarification if private schools can deviate from the school calendar prescribed by the education department for School Year (SY) 2020-2021.
”We do not know when we can graduate our students,” FAPSA President Eleazardo Kasilag said. DepEd, he explained, has not released the schedule up to this time. “We still do not know when we can end this school year,” he added.
Traditionally, the month of March is considered the busiest month in all schools - with final exams, graduation rehearsals, and other related activities all taking place. However, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic halted all these with the implementation of distance or home-based learning.
While FAPSA understands the school calendar and schedule can be erratic due to the disruptions brought about by the pandemic, Kasilag said that a “timetable has to be set.”
Public schools officially started classes on Oct. 5. Based on the amended school calendar or the DepEd Order No. 30 s. of 2020, the last day of classes will be on June 11, 2021. Summer classes are scheduled from June 14 to July 23.
While private schools were included in the said DepEd Order, FAPSA said that there were no specific instructions on how they can implement certain adjustments.
Some private schools, Kasilag said, started classes as early as June while others opened in July and August last year. “We cannot join DepEd in their closing in July this year,” he explained. “However, we need to know when we are ending the school year 2020-2021 because our parents are asking and we cannot answer them,” he added.
Kasilag also noted that students and parents have also been asking about the school calendar of private schools at this time - along with the schedule of final exams, date of graduation, last day of classes, summer enrichment program and school opening for next school year.
For instance, FAPSA wants to know what will be the DepEd guidelines for end of school-year activities, will limited face-to-face activities, such as graduation or school closing ceremonies, be allowed, or if these should be all conducted virtually.
“We need the advice of DepEd or at least, allow the private schools to decide and exercise our discretion since somehow, private schools enjoy a little autonomy,” Kasilag ended.