Zubiri calls for return to ‘June-March schedule’ next school year

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday suggested the immediate return to the June to March academic calendar  next school year (SY) 2024-2025.

In a statement, Zubiri cited the “almost unbearable rise in temperature” and the recurring cancellation of face-to-face classes as “compelling reasons” to revert to the old  school calendar, instead of waiting for a gradual return in SY 2025-2026.

“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,” he 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,” the Senate chief added.

(So if possible, let’s not wait for the school year 2025-2026. If it can be implemented in the next school year, let’s do it, for the sake of our students next summer.)

He specifically directed his call to the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education.

For his part, Zubiri  said he has already withdrawn Senate Bill No. 788 aimed at synchronizing the school year to start in August.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,” he said.

“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 pointed out.

The Senate leader then noted how the extreme heat had forced thousands of schools to shift to online classes, which affected more than a million students.

Although it earlier announced the gradual return to the old school calendar, DepEd  said this could not be rushed, saying teachers and learner should need to rest also.

“We cannot compromise the rest period of our teachers and learners. We cannot conduct continuous classes because they need rest,” Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte said.

Zubiri, however,  insisted that the present weather conditions necessitate the immediate return to the previous school calendar.

“Huwag na nating i-expose ang ating mga students and teachers sa ganitong weather conditions,” he stressed.

(We shouldn’t expose our students and teachers to these weather conditions anymore.)