Public school classes back Nov. 3

CEBU, Philippines - Classes in all public elementary and secondary schools will resume tomorrow, November 3, Department of Education (DepEd) 7 Director Recaredo Borgonia confirmed yesterday.

Borgonia said this is stated in the DepEd official calendar of activities for school year 2011-2012. The calendar, signed by Education Secretary Armin Luistro, is stipulated in DepEd Order no. 28 series of 2011 released last March 22, 2011.

This was also confirmed in a report by GMANews Online, which cited DepEd officials reminding public schools to stick to the official calendar.

Private schools, meanwhile, should comply with the 180-teaching-day schedule, the report reads.

"It is compulsory for all public elementary and secondary schools to follow the official calendar. Private schools may opt to deviate from the calendar, however, they are required to comply with the 180 teaching-learning days," the report said, quoting an advisory posted on the website of the Philippine Information Agency.

For School Year 2011-2012, the DepEd said the semestral break for students and teachers is from October 26 to November 2.

DepEd supervises classes in the preschool, elementary and high school levels.

Many are expected to return to the city this week after a long holiday that began last weekend until the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. – /JMO (FREEMAN)