Students at the basic education level in public schools nationwide will have their semestral break starting Monday, March 15, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).
Based on the amended school calendar and activities for School Year (SY) 2020-2021 issued by Education Secretary Leonor Briones on March 2, the In-Service Training (INSET) for teachers is scheduled March 15 to 19.
Teachers are expected to attend a professional development program organized by the school or other relevant units of DepEd during the scheduled INSET.
While teachers attend various training and other related programs, students will not be required to attend classes as they go on their semestral break.
The week-long break takes place after the Second Quarter, usually in October. However, it was adjusted this school year due to the disruptions brought about by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
During the INSET week, students who were able to comply with their school requirements will be on school break. However, those who need to submit other school work might be asked to use this time to comply with their academic requirements.
Aside from the INSET schedule, one of the highlights of the amended school calendar include the intervention and remediation activities for learners from March 1 to 12.
Currently, DepEd said that schools are expected to conduct “intervention and remediation activities” based on the unique needs of the learners as determined through the results of the different forms of assessment administered for the past two quarters.
DepEd explained that these intervention and remediation activities should be indicated in the two-week home learning plan to be prepared by teachers with the assistance of the assigned learning support aides (LSAs), as applicable.
The adjustments in the remaining quarters were also indicated wherein the Quarter 3 will start on March 22 to May 15, 2021. The last or Quarter 4 will start on May 17 to July 10, 2021.
DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio also confirmed to the Manila Bulletin that there will be “summer classes” for students who will need it but the schedule has not been determined so far.
Meanwhile, DepEd assured that the additional two-week period shall be compensated by a similar adjustment in the school break between SY 2021-2021 and SY 2021-2022.
DepEd said that the adjustments in the school calendar were made in order to “address the learning gaps and to give additional pedagogical time to teachers for the different learning modalities.” While this policy is only implemented in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide for SY 2020-2021, DepEd also encouraged private schools, technical and vocational institutions, and higher education institutions - including state and local universities and colleges offering the K to 12 Basic Education Program - to implement these guidelines accordingly.