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DepEd considers Saturday classes
By Creselda Canda-Lopez
"We still need to be consulting our teachers and our learners, because aggressive shift will be reducing school year to something like 163," Department of Education (DepEd) is looking at holding classes for several Saturdays to make up for reduction in number of school days when old school calendar is restored this coming school year (SY).
Speaking during hearing of House of Representatives committee on basic education and culture, DepEd director for curriculum and instruction-Bureau of Learning Delivery Leila Areola said agency is planning to start SY 2024-2025 on July 29 and end it by March 31 next year.
Meanwhile, SY 2025-2026 shall start by June next year.
Because of this, Areola noted minimum number of school days would be reduced from current 180 to around 163.
To make up for reduction in school days, DepEd is studying possibility of holding classes on certain Saturdays.
"It's not going to be every Saturday… just be certain Saturdays that we need to conduct, for example, distance learning, so that they will be able to cover competencies might not be covered with reduction of school year," Areola said.
Upon questioning by committee chair and Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, Areola said there is no law or policy that requires minimum 180 days.
Romulo maintained that while there is law that sets maximum number of school days at 220, he could not find law or any policy requiring minimum days to be 180.
Areola said there is no law governing this requirement, but it has been practiced since 1990.
"Average number of days is 203, and I have to mention that when curriculum was prepared, they calculated actually 180 as much as possible to be minimum number of school days," she added.
Bukidnon 4th District Rep. Laarni Lavin Roque proposed to DepEd to do away with 180 days as minimum number of school days since there is no law governing it.
At the same hearing, Philippine Elementary School Principals Association president Ferdinand Millan "interpose no objection" to changes in school calendar, although he revealed that his group has come up with some recommendations, including adoption of "asynchronous learning aside from conducting or holding classes every Saturday."
Millan added they are proposing inclusion of vitamins in school-based program for school learners "so that they will be physically fit in learning."
Group also wants provision for the teachers' uniform such as "comfortable shirts "properly chosen" in terms of color, style and comfort.
Millan maintained teachers should also be provided with health benefits, such as hospitalization and life insurance coverage, among others.
Two House committees moved to invite Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio to shed light on Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) DepEd forged with three other government agencies.
JMC, signed earlier, is for integration of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in senior high school (SHS) curriculum to boost students' employability.
Aside from Duterte, House committees on basic education and culture, and higher and technical education also agreed to invite top officials of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Commission on Higher Education.
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