4-day school week for 20 schools eyed

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) is considering a four-day school week for around 20 elementary and high schools in Metro Manila that will be affected by the construction of major road projects this year.

DepEd officials yesterday provided lawmakers a list of schools that would be affected by the road works during a hearing at the House of Representatives.

The schools include P. Zamora Elementary School, CP Garcia High School, Legarda Elementary School, R. Palma Elementary School, C. Salvador Elementary and Bagong Barangay Elementary School in Manila; Balingasa Elementary School, San Jose High School, Masambong Elementary School, Betty Go Elementary School, C. Albert High School and M. Reyes High School in Quezon City.

Grace Park Elementary School and Grace Park Annex in Caloocan City; Tambo Elementary School in Parañaque City; Kalayaan High School in Pasay City; Malinta Elementary School in Valenzuela City, and Pateros Elementary School.

DepEd Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo said should the government adopt the proposed four-day school week in selected schools in the metropolis, the new schedule would be implemented next school year.

Mateo said the agency is still studying the proposal to reduce the number of school days in a bid to decongest traffic in Metro Manila during the construction of major infrastructure projects this year.