Senators back DepEd's 'aggressive' action to revert to old academic calendar
Senators on Wednesday, May 1 welcomed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) “aggressive” stance to revert to the old academic calendar for school year 2024-2025 in response to the public clamor.
“I support this ‘aggressive option’ to revert to the old academic calendar in school year 2024-2025 beacuse of the uncertainty in the climate,” Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said.
“We don't know if next year will be hotter or cooler. What is certain according to PAGASA is summer time will always fall on March to May. Those will be the hottest months of the year,” the senator added.
Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, however, acknowledged that such option would not be without any sacrifices.
“However, this is option will not be without sacrifices - lesser class days and more make up days to complete all the lessons that are needed to be taught. One year of sacrifice to immediately revert to the old academic calendar,” he lamented.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri also said he agrees to the DepEd’s proposal and would ask President Marcos to immediately stamp his approval on DepEd’s petition.
“I fully support the proposal of the Deped and would seek the Presidents approval on this very crucial and important decision which could save lives and enhance the learning situation of our students in the country,” Zubiri said.
The excessive heat experienced in so many parts of the country has elicited a public clamor for a reversion to the old academic calendar.
This, after the DepEd, in recent weeks, was forced to declare in-person class suspensions as the scorching heat reaches as high as 53 degrees Celsius just last Sunday, April 28.