Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry on the readiness of basic education institutions to conduct classes for school year (SY) 2023-2024.
Gatchalian seeks inquiry on schools’ readiness for SY 2023-2024
Jul 29, 2023 04:34 AM
At a glance
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry on the readiness of basic education institutions to conduct classes for school year (SY) 2023-2024.
Aside from the lifting of the public health emergency due to Covid-19 and the threat of El Niño phenomenon, Gatchalian also cited how the shift in the school calendar resulted in a shorter school break from [July 8, 2023](calendar:T2:July 8, 2023) to [Aug. 27, 2023](calendar:T2:August 27, 2023), a total of 51 days.
During this break, remedial classes will be conducted in public schools from [July 17, 2023](calendar:T2:July 17, 2023) to [Aug. 26, 2023](calendar:T2:August 26, 2023).
Senate Resolution (SR) 689 seeks an immediate assessment of both the effectiveness and challenges in delivering both face-to-face classes and learning through alternative delivery modes.
The inquiry also takes into consideration the public clamor for the return of school summer breaks from April to May.
Under Department Order (DO) No. 034 s. 2022, SY 2023-2024 is scheduled to commence on Aug. 28, 2023 and conclude on June 28, 2024.
Gatchalian said It is important to note that DO No. 034 s. 2022 primarily applied to SY 2022-2023 and specified that separate DOs would be issued for SY 2023-2024 and SY 2024-2025.
However, up to this time, a DO for SY 2023-2024 has not yet been issued.
Recently, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced that it is eyeing Aug. 29 as the first day of classes for SY 2023-2024 instead of Aug. 28.
The department added that they are finalizing the DO for the next school year’s calendar.
Gatchalian is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
The senator recalled the challenges of implementing remote learning when in-person classes were suspended due to Covid-19.
He noted how the digital divide hit hardest on learners from low-income households.
Based on a 2021 World Bank survey on low-income households, only 40 percent have access to the internet and 95.5 percent used paper-based learning modules and materials.