The Department of Education (DepEd) said on Thursday, Feb. 22, that with the implemented adjustments, the pre-pandemic academic calendar may resume by the School Year (SY) 2026-2027.

"Eventually, we might be able to return, hopefully by June, for the opening of the school year 2026-2027," DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Cesar Bringas said in an interview with PTV's Bagong Pilipinas segment.

"However, these are just projected dates, and we will still be subjected to proper consultation," he added in a mix of English and Filipino.

On Feb. 20, DepEd formally announced that the opening of the school year 2024-2025 for basic education is scheduled for July 29.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/20/dep-ed-sets-opening-for-school-year-2024-2025-on-july-29 

"The adjustment of our school year is actually the result of a nationwide or extensive consultation with our stakeholders, which includes teachers, parents, learners, teacher organizations, as well as the research conducted by the Philippine Normal University (PNU)," Bringas said.

"Our surveys and the entire public clamor truly pushed us to revert to our traditional June to March school year," he added.

However, Bringas emphasized that although the school rites are scheduled for May 29, 30, and 31 on the calendar, "for reasons beyond our control, it may be extended until June 1, with prior consultation with the teachers and parents involved."

"But these adjustments have already been made, we considered all factors, considering the vacation for learners and also the vacation for teachers," Bringas explained.

Furthermore, the DepEd official underscored that the school year rites on May 31 will be followed by "a 30-day uninterrupted vacation for teachers.”

“Our DepEd activities will resume a month after, starting from July 1 until July 27, and then we will open on July 29,” he added.

Annual activities

Moreover, the National Learning Camp (NLC) will start on July 1, “after that we will move to July 1, and it will run for the next three weeks in July, and our ‘Brigada Eskwela’ will be a week before the opening on July 29."

The "Brigada Eskwela" is an annual program that encourages active participation from all education stakeholders, motivating them to contribute their time, efforts, and resources to ensure that public schools are well-prepared for the start of classes.

"Of course, we will also share that the events they have been waiting for from the central office, such as Palarong Pambansa, National School Press Conference, Festival of Talents, and Science and Technology week, are still planned in July after the 30-day vacation of teachers," Bringas said.

"These are still the ones they should look forward to because these events mark the year-end or what we call the manifestation of their learning for the past year," he added.

Furthermore, Bringas expressed hope that the adjustment to the calendar would be accepted by all stakeholders in the education sector.

"(For) all our students, parents, and teachers, I hope you accept this school calendar that resulted from our own consultation with all of you," he said.

"Let's use this for our wellness, considering the vacation given to us by our agency, which is also needed by both teachers and learners due to the previous school year," he added.