Gatchalian to DepEd: Make transition period to old school calendar shorter
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday, April 4 said he will ask the Department of Education (DepEd) to study the possibility of shortening the transition period in preparation for the return to the old school calendar.
Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said education officials should consider such plans in consideration of the hot weather situation in the country.
The DepEd is planning to return the opening of the school classes to June for school year 2026-2027.
“These days, it’s hard to predict the weather and the trend is leaning towards hotter weather. Before, the weather temperature does not reach 40 degrees. But this time around, 40 is the new normal,” Gatchalian said during a Kapihan sa Senado forum.
“So I agree, the shorter the transition period, the better. And that is what we are looking to recommend to the DepEd. To shorten the transition period because I also admit that can’t be done instantly,” he said.
“If we do it instantly, we will have one year with no academic break. So let’s see if we can shorten it, so we don’t experience the worst situation,” he added.
Gatchalian said it is important to return the summer vacation on April and March, which is the peak of the hotter season. Most students suffer heat stroke and other summer-related illnesses during these months.
Nevertheless, the senator said he is glad that the shift to the old school calendar has already started.
Gatchalian also said he is confident the DepEd can conduct remedial classes whenever it has to impose class suspension.