Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said it is up to the Department of Education (DepEd) to decide on proposals to revert to the old academic calender, saying it should be done only after careful study.    Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said DepEd officials should consider the effect of the present school calendar on students who are forced to endure the hot weather during summer.    “We will leave that to our education officials. Alam kong pinag-aaralan na po nila ito (I’m aware they are already studying this),” Go said in a recent interview in his visit to Ibaan, Batangas.   “Dapat ay pag-aralang mabuti at huwag pong masakripisyo ang kalusugan ng mga kabataan. Ang ayaw natin dito, baka hindi nila kakayanin ang init tuwing summer kasi alam n'yo, nakagawian na natin. Tuwing summer tayo, March, April, may bakasyon tayo nu’n dahil napakainit (They should weigh this carefully so as not to sacrifice the health of our youth. What we don't like here, is that they might not be able to handle the heat every summer because you know, we're used to it. We take vacations every summer, March, April, because it's so hot during these months),” he pointed out.    DepEd has already initiated a review process and has formed a committee that would evaluate the potential benefits and challenges of reverting to the old academic calendar.    DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said the agency will weigh in on the proposal in consideration of the need to address weather-related disruptions that often lead to class suspensions, extended school breaks, and subsequent disruptions to the continuity of learning.    Go, for his part, asserted that the DepEd, being the primary authority in matters of education, is equipped with the expertise and experience needed to thoroughly evaluate the situation.   What is important, the senator said, is for DepEd to ensure quality of education and to maintain the number of school days that students need to attend.    “I’m sure pag-aaralan po itong mabuti ng ating DepEd officials, mas alam po nila ang kanilang trabaho (I'm sure our DepEd officials will study this carefully, they know their job better),” Go said. “So ako po ay nakikiusap sa ating mga officials na pag-aralan at kung kailangang ibalik, ibalik po natin, kung ano po ang mas makakabuti sa mga estudyante na hindi po maaapektuhan ang kanilang kalusugan (So I am begging our officials to study and if it has to be returned, let's return it, what will be better for the students that will not affect their health),” he urged.