President Marcos is keen on bringing back the old school calendar next year, citing the urgent need for it given the impacts of El Niño at present.
Marcos said there is no need to wait longer to reimplement the old schedule for face-to-face classes as it is "better for the kids."
He said he has received the recommendation from the Department of Education (DepEd) and asked Vice President Sara Duterte, who heads the DepEd, to come up with a concrete plan.
"Well, of course, hiningi ko ‘yan sa DepEd (I asked that from DepEd) and I asked Inday Sara to give me already a concrete plan because mukha naman, hindi na tayo kailangan maghintay pa. At mukha naman ay kailangan na at (it looks like we do not need to wait. And it seems like we need it now and) I don’t see any objections really from anyone," Marcos said in an interview on Monday, May 6.
Citing the El Niño phenomenon which prompted schools to cancel face-to-face classes, the President is compelled to bring the old schedule back and hopes that it would be reimplemented by next year.
"So, talagang kailangan na kailangan na (we really need it). So, yes. That’s part of the plan that we are trying to do to bring it back already to the old schedule. I think it will be better for the kids," he said.
"Hopefully by next year, yes. By next year matatapos na (it is done)," he added.
The DepEd has “agreed” to revert to the old school calendar — which schedules classes from June to March and designates the hottest months of the year, April and May, as school break or summer vacation —starting School Year 2025-2026.