The Department of Education (DepEd) released a new order amending its calendar for school year 2023-2024 in recognition of the clamor to revert the schedule of classes back to pre-pandemic times.
Under its revised order dated Feb. 19, 2024, classes in public elementary, junior and senior high schools (SHS) will end by May 31 (Friday). Summer break is now scheduled from June 1 to July 26.
DepEd said the decision was made with “resounding consensus” from teachers, learners, and relevant stakeholders. It is also consistent with the findings of a study conducted by the Philippine Normal University (PNU).
The amended school calendar was also in line with the MATATAG agenda of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio to “take good care of learners” by promoting their well-being through inclusive education and a positive learning environment.
Also covered by the order are the schedules of End-of-School-Year rites (May 29 to 31 or until June 1 under special circumstances), National Learning Camp (July 1 to 19), and Brigada Eskuwela (July 22 to 27).
Next school year (2024-2025) will start on July 29, 2024 to May 16, 2025.
Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio also told reporters in an interview Tuesday that her department intends to conduct pilot implementation of the revised curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 students by academic year 2025-2026.
At the moment, she said DepEd is still gathering inputs from the business community as regards the skills they want SHS graduates to have to increase their chances of employability.
“Dahil nasa review pa tayo ng senior high school curriculum, Grades 11 and 12, napakahalaga ng input nila (business community) doon sa mga skills na gusto nilang makita sa mga senior high school graduates natin, sa mga K-to-12 graduates natin dahil ang intent, ang vision ng K-to-12 program natin ay pagkatapos nila ng basic education ay pwede na silang magtrabaho or employable na sila,” she said.
(Because we are still reviewing the senior high school curriculum for Grades 11 and 12, it is important to get their [business community’s] input in terms of the skills that they want senior high school or K-to-12 graduates to have because the intent, the vision of the K-to-12 program is that after they finish basic education, they can work right away or are already employable.)