Teachers welcome 'scheduled return' to old school calendar
A teachers’ group welcomed the “favorable response” of the Department of Education (DepEd) to the clamor of teachers and the general public to revert the school calendar of basic education to the pre-pandemic system.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa DepEd at pinakinggan ang aming mga hinaing sa pagkakataong ito (We are thankful to the DepEd for listening to our concerns at this time),” Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) National Chairman Benjo Basas said in a statement.
“Inaasahan naming mabilis na ilalabas ang polisiya hinggil dito (We expect that the policy regarding this will be released soon),” he added.
The group, along with other stakeholders, met with the department officials during a consultation held at the DepEd Central Office in Pasig City on Jan. 16.
TDC thanked DepEd for “agreeing” to commence the public school cycle in June and concluding it in March the following year.
“Following the DepEd plan that was noted by stakeholders, classes for the current school year will end on May 31, 2024, instead of June 14, as stipulated in DepEd Order No. 22, 2023,” TDC said.
TDC also claimed that the start of SY 2024-2025 was “scheduled on July 29 of this year.”
“Based on the discussion, the school calendar will revert to the June-March cycle by the school year 2025-2026,” Basas added.
Being one of the organizations advocating for the proposal, TDC appreciated the DepEd's move. The campaign to revert to the old cycle, TDC said, was “primarily because of the extreme heat teachers and learners experienced last year, when many became ill or fainted.”
In two separate letters to Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte last year, the TDC also submitted their proposal and requested a discussion.
Basas, who was present in the meeting, said: "Ito naman ang kagandahan sa maayos na pag-uusap, tiyak na may maabot na kasunduan para sa kapakanan ng mga guro at mga bata (This is the beauty of a constructive conversation, ensuring that a consensus is reached for the welfare of both teachers and students).
Meanwhile, he pointed out that a policy amending the previous DepEd Order will be “needed” to effect the changes.
Aside from reversing the old school calendar, TDC insisted that teachers be granted service credits or overtime payment for extra work rendered.
DepEd was also urged to address concerns on health breaks every quarter and the assurance of a 60-day annual school break under the existing policies, among other demands.