By Stephanie Sevillano | Philippine News Agency
On Monday, June 9, the Department of Education (DepEd) said the opening of school year 2025-2026 on June 16 would be beneficial for learners.
In an ambush interview on the sidelines of “Brigada Eskuwela” kick-off at the Barihan Elementary School in Malolos City, Bulacan, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the reversion to the old school calendar is just right on time.
“Well, June 16, medyo maulan na ho, pero hindi kasing lakas noong nakaraang taon,” he said.
Under Angara’s watch, the DepEd has reverted to the original June to March school calendar, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prevent learning loss due to successive missed school days caused by various weather disturbances.
“Noong 2024, nagbukas tayo halos buong Metro Manila, Cavite, Calabarzon, lubog na sa ulan. So, maganda na inagahan na po ng ating Pangulo iyong pasukan natin,” Angara said.
In July 2024, around 842 schools were unable to open classes due to the effects of Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon, affecting 803,824 learners.
About 53 school days were also reported to be wasted every school year due to class suspensions because of typhoons and disasters, according to the report of the DepEd’s National Management Committee released on Nov. 12, 2024.
In December last year, the DepEd revised its guidelines, under DepEd Order No. 22, series of 2024, for the declaration of class suspensions in public schools due to natural or human-induced hazards.
These cover class suspensions on typhoons and tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall and flooding, earthquakes, power outages or interruptions, extreme heat conditions, volcanic fog or low air quality, and other emergencies.
Under the revised guidelines, schools with suspended face-to-face classes are expected to implement modular distance learning, online distance learning, and blended learning, if “feasible” to help address learning loss while ensuring the safety of learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel.
Angara, meanwhile, urged other members of the community to join all public schools in the nationwide preparation under the “Brigada Eskuwela”.
“Sa ating mga magulang, sa guro, mga pamilya, paghandaan na po natin iyong pagbubukas ng klase. Kailangan po ng mga eskuwelahan ninyo ang inyong tulong. Sana sama-sama po tayo rito,” he said.
“Brigada Eskuwela”, formally known as the National Schools Maintenance Week, will span from June 9 to 13, according to the DepEd Memorandum Order No. 42. (PNA)
