Zubiri urges DepEd, CHED to hasten return to old academic calendar

FILE: Barangay councilor Rogelio Rebusi (left) signals motorists to stop as two students and their mother cross the pedestrian lane in front of Fernando Ma. Guerrero Elementary School on Pedro Gil Street, Paco, Manila on Tuesday (Sept. 27, 2022). (PNA photo by Alfred Frias)

MANILA – Amid the extreme heat and recurring cancellation of face-to-face classes, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday urged the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to immediately revert to the pre-pandemic June to March academic calendar in the upcoming school year.

In a statement, Zubiri noted that the planned gradual return to the original school calendar in school year (SY) 2025-2026 would further subject students and teachers to possible health hazards next summer.

“Aside from exposing our students and teachers to the dangers of extreme heat, I honestly believe that the prevailing weather conditions during summer are not conducive to learning,” Zubiri said.

“Kaya kung pwede sana, huwag na natin hintayin ang school year 2025-2026. Kung kayang ipatupad sa susunod na school year, gawin na natin at kawawa ang ating mga estudyante sa susunod na summer (If possible, let’s not wait for SY 2025-2026. If it can be implemented next school year, let’s do it to spare our students next summer),” he added.

He said he had withdrawn Senate Bill No. 788 that he filed at the start of the 19th Congress, which seeks to synchronize the school year to start in August.

“In an ideal world, we do want to be in sync with international school calendars, to give our students a better chance at getting into programs abroad. But the reality is that the August calendar has proven to be disruptive to our education system, and even dangerous to the health of our children and school staff,” he said.