Member wants school opening in June: Request sparks ‘debate’ at PB

CEBU, Philippines — A mere resolution requesting the Department of Education (DepEd) to revert the opening of the school year for elementary and secondary schools to June has sparked a debate among the members of the Cebu Provincial Board.

Yesterday’s regular session of the PB was far from their usual dull sessions that would often last for only 10 minutes.

PB Member John Ismael Borgonia moved for the approval of his resolution requesting the education department to revert the opening of classes to June citing among others the scorching summer temperatures that have become detrimental to the health of the students and teachers.

“In view of the current high heat index experienced by the students and teachers and the overcrowded classrooms, this results to a non-conducive learning environment not only detrimental to their health but also to their over-all development,” said Borgonia.

Aside from the hot weather, Borgonia also cited the number of holidays during the month of April and May that are interrupting the classes if the current school calendar days are to be continued.

Another disruption he pointed out is the national and local elections that are conducted every three years. Borgonia said the schools are utilized as venues and the teachers are required to serve and provide assistance during the conduct of the elections.

“This also disrupts the school classes even as early as the preparation phase of such event,” he said.

On top of these, a number of fiesta celebrations during the months of April and May are also disrupting classes. Unconvinced by the reasons cited by Borgonia, PB Member Cesar Baricuatro objected the resolution.

Baricuatro questioned Borgonia’s timing and why raised the arguments only now. While some PB members supported Borgonia’s proposal, ex-officio member Celestino Martinez III, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay provincial federation, manifested to abstain should there be a division of the house.

Voting on the proposal was averted following an incidental motion from Board Member Stanley Caminero seeking to defer action on the resolution until the next regular session.

Caminero also asked that the members of the Provincial School Board should be invited to enlighten them on the matter. Both of Caminero’s motions were approved ending the debate on Borgonia’s proposal.

The rare debate on a mere request resolution was witnessed by a visiting delegation from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in Basilan and communication students from the Cebu Normal University.

On May 11, 2020, the DepEd decided to move the opening of the school year 2020-2021 from June to August 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The August-April school calendar was continued by Vice President Sara Duterte, the education secretary, in the present school year. The current school year formally started on August 22, 2022 and shall end on July 7, 2023 based on the Department of Education Order No. 034, series of 2022. — FPL (FREEMAN)