No learning gap expected after school year adjustment, assures DepEd

PHOTO FROM AFP/INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) assured on Wednesday that the learning competencies of students will not be compromised following the move of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to adjust the closing dates of classes for the school year 2024-2025.

According to DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa, the DepEd does not see any possible learning deficiencies that may occur due to the adjustment of school days.

READ: Marcos sets school year 2024-2025 from July 29 to April 15

“Sa pananaw naman po natin, hindi naman po,” Poa said in an ambush interview with reporters.

(In our view, the learning competencies of students will not be affected.)

He added that the DepEd will coordinate with teachers so that students will learn each day that they spend in school.

“[K]ami naman sa DepEd side, kailangan ring nating magabayan ang ating teachers, ‘yan ay pinag-uusapan na with our curriculum side para sisiguraduhin natin na every teaching day or learning day will count,” he added.

(We in the side of the DepEd, we still need to guide our teachers, that is what we are discussing with our curriculum side to make sure that every teaching day or learning day will count.)

On Wednesday, Marcos Jr. ordered that the school year 2024-2025 will be from July 29 to April 15, which was adjusted from the original March 31 proposal of the DepEd.

READ: DepEd all set for June school opening in ’25

These adjustments were made in response to public pleas to return the beginning of the school calendar to June, one reason being due to the intense heat felt by learners in various schools nationwide.