Amid calls on reverting early to pre-pandemic school calendar, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte explained that it cannot be rushed as there is a need to consider the rest period of teachers and learners.
"Hindi natin pwedeng o-compromise ang pahinga ng ating mga teachers at ng ating mga learners," Duterte told reporters during a chance interview with reporters in a school event in Pasig City on Monday, April 8.
She made the response following calls from several groups, urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to shift back to the old school calendar where classes start in June and ends in March.
"Hindi natin pwede dire-diretso ang mga klase. Kailangan ng pahinga, ng school break, sa mga paaralan," Duterte pointed out.
In February 20, DepEd announced the gradual return to the old school break starting next school year through its Department Order No. 003 S. of 2024, declaring May 31, 2024, as the new adjusted end date of the current school year.
Under the order, the agency likewise announced that SY 2024 to 2025 would start on Monday, July 29, and end on Friday, May 16, 2025.
With this, the school calendar is expected to end on April 2 for SY 2026 to 2027 and eventually in March for SY 2027 to 2028.
