DepEd welcomes MMDA proposal

Education officials are willing to discuss the proposal of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to shorten classes to four days a week in selected schools in Metro Manila that will be affected by heavy traffic because of upcoming road projects.

“The Department of Education (DepEd) welcomes the proposal but we will need to sit down with principals and superintendents to identify specific schools in the National Capital Region that will be affected,” said Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo, who is in charge of planning and development.

“If implemented in selected schools, we need to ensure that the quality of learning is not compromised. A task force on this would be created,” he added.

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino came up with the idea of a four-day school week as the agency explored ways to alleviate the expected traffic gridlock in the coming months, when 15 major infrastructure projects simultaneously undergo construction.

Among the remedial measures suggested were traffic schemes on or around Edsa, as well as adjustments in work and school schedules.

Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, who handles DepEd’s legal and legislative affairs, said they will consider the suggestion once the MMDA had submitted a formal proposal.

Umali pointed out that in the 200-day school calendar per year, there should be no less than 180 days of  “contact time” between the teacher and the  students.