School opening: Last week of August eyed  

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is considering the last week of August as the opening of the next school year in public elementary and high schools.

In a message to The STAR on July 26, DepEd Undersecretary and spokesman Michael Poa said the schedule is still tentative and they are still finalizing the department order that would set the official calendar for next school year.

The agency initially set the opening of classes on Aug. 28, but it was declared a holiday in commemoration of National Heroes Day.

Various groups earlier urged the DepEd to revert the school opening to June to avoid holding classes during the hottest months of April and May.

The DepEd has yet to issue a decision on the matter, but officials earlier said reverting to the old calendar – if it pushes through – would be implemented “gradually” to ensure that there will still be breaks between school years.

Several teachers’ groups have raised concerns over the additional workload during what should have been their mandatory school break.

For instance, the DepEd this week started implementing the National Learning Camp, which is part of its National Learning Recovery Program. While the camp is voluntary, some teachers have complained that they are being mandated to participate.

Ahead of the school opening, teachers will also have to take part in the annual Brigada Eskwela and enrollment period.

The DepEd National Capital Region office issued a memorandum saying that the national kickoff for Brigada Eskwela will be held at the Tarlac National High School on Aug. 7. The regional kickoff program in NCR will be on Aug. 10 at the Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzalez in Mandaluyong City.