DepEd scraps 3-day school week in Metro

MANILA, Philippines - Amid widespread criticism, the Department of Education (DepEd) has scrapped its plan to implement a three-day school week in congested public schools in Metro Manila – at least for this school year.

“We will not implement the three-day school week because we have not finished our study,” DepEd Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo said yesterday.

“We didn’t change our mind, we said the three-day school week is one of the options to handle these overcrowded schools,” he said.

DepEd-National Capital Region director Luz Almeda issued a  memorandum yesterday regarding the suspension of the plan.

Last Monday, Almeda told reporters they are looking at implementing a three-day school week in some schools in Metro Manila to address overcrowding.

Mateo said they are taking into account the possible impact of the scheme to the students’ learning, possible violations of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers and the requirement of additional resources.

Under a three-day school week, classes will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Almeda said only a small number of public schools will be affected by the three-day school week and it would only be implemented as a last resort.

The Division of City Schools-Caloocan had issued a memorandum on May 13 about the implementation of the three-day school week.

“The memo was in preparation for its implementation should we decide to push through with it,” Mateo clarified.

The official said the DepEd, in coordination with some local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila, will provide free transportation to students who will be compelled to transfer to other schools due to congestion.

In Valenzuela City, he said 140 pupils from the Malinta Elementary School Pinalagad-Annex will be ferried in four to six vans of the school and the Valenzuela Division Office to Karuhatan West Elementary School.

The LGU will shoulder fuel expenses, he added.

Mateo said they are still coordinating with the city governments of Caloocan and Quezon City about the free bus service for public school students.

“We trust the LGUs on the safety of the buses and the principals will take care of the children,” DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali said.

Tuition hike in Region 2

Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved the petition of 11 private colleges and universities in Region 2 to increase their tuition by 10 percent this coming school year.

Nestor Galvan, CHED Region 2 education supervisor, yesterday said only one school’s petition for tuition hike was disapproved.

The CHED approval came after a series of consultations with universities and colleges from Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya that applied for tuition hike, according to Galvan.

He said the tuition increase will be allocated for personnel and staff benefits (70 percent), improvement of school facilities (20 percent) and school’s return of investment (10 percent). – With Raymund Catindig