New school year schedule
Yet another casualty, if it can be called that, of the low pressure area (LPA)- enhanced southwest monsoon was the country’s school calendar. It was supposed to enter its third busy month only to be swept by floodwaters that had schools converted into evacuation centers.
That’s what happened in Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon, where days of incessant rain left the capital and surroundings under water, and claimed the lives of more than 60 people during a non-typhoon.
Sen. Franklin Drilon used the latest weather anomaly to revive his idea to move back the school calendar from June to September to spare students the inconvenience of having their schools used as evacuation centers and attending make-up classes under trees.
The education department said it was open to rescheduling the school season for these reasons.
In light of the recent K to 12 program, the weather and how the country’s schools adjust to unpredictable weather play a major factor in determining and finalizing a definite date for the school opening.
Areeing to a September school opening instead of June or July accentuates the further Westernization of the country’s educational system.
The K to 12 system gives high school graduates the option of pursuing a four-year degree or a vocational course similar to that in the United States.
Their schools open in September and have a winter break around November or December. The last two months also bring in the rainy season here in the country.
The more rains break out in June, July or August, the stronger the argument for a delayed school opening in September.
How would this affect students across the country like in Cebu and the Visayas and Mindanao which don’t suffer as badly?
If there’s a general study of weather patterns for the first decade or so of this century along with consultations from the academe and the students themselves about their sentiments for a September opening, then Drilon’s proposal may gather steam and be considered for serious study by the Palace.
Again, floods and the resulting devastation caused by storms with no name will drive home this point.
A new schedule may not reduce the damage wrought by storms which have become stronger as the years go due to global warming and climate change.
Having students stay home and setting a school calendar that would avoid the occurrence of storms would give them room to complete their studies without dealing with soaked books, uniforms and school supplies.
It’s time for education and Palace officials to seriously look into this.
