The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) acknowledges the Department of Education's (DepEd) favorable response to the clamor of teachers and the general public to revert the school calendar to the pre-pandemic system, which means commencing the public school cycle in June and concluding it in March the following year. Officials of the DepEd confirmed this during the consultation held at the DepEd Central Office in Pasig City this afternoon. Following the DepEd plan that was noted by stakeholders, classes for the current school year will end on May 31, 2024, instead of June 14, as stipulated in DepEd Order No. 22, 2023. Also, the start of SY 2024-2025 is scheduled on July 29 of this year. Based on the discussion, the school calendar will revert to the June-March cycle by the school year 2025-2026.
The TDC, being one of the organizations advocating for the proposal, appreciated the DepEd's move. According to the group, the campaign to revert to the old cycle was primarily because of the extreme heat teachers and learners experienced last year, when many became ill or fainted.
In two separate letters to Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte last year, the TDC submitted their proposal and requested a discussion on the subject.
TDC Chairperson Benjo Basas, who was present in the meeting, said, "Ito naman ang kagandahan sa maayos na pag-uusap, tiyak na may maaabot na kasunduan para sa kapakanan ng mga guro at mga bata."
Basas pointed out that a policy amending the previous DepEd Order will be needed to effect the changes. "Kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa DepEd at pinakinggan ang aming mga hinaing sa pagkakataong ito. Inaasahan naming mabilis na ilalabas ang polisiya hinggil dito," he added.
Aside from the reversion to the old school calendar, TDC insisted that teachers be granted service credits or overtime payment for extra work rendered, health breaks every quarter, clear policy on cath-up Fridays, and the assurance of a 60-day annual school break in accordance with the existing policies, among other demands.
Present among the DepEd officials are Undersecretaries Gina Gonong for curriculum, Wilfredo Cabral for the human resources and Atty. Micheal Poa, the chief of staff. Yesterday, January 15, during one of the hearings of the House Committee on Basic Education, Basas also raised the question and Poa revealed that the DepEd has already prepared their plan and will consult the stakeholders.
Videos of TDC’s participation:
1. HoR Basic Education Committee hearing, January 15, 2024
2. DepEd consultation with stakeholders, January 16, 2024
Source: Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC)
Here is the televised interview from One News with TDC Chairman, Sir Benjo Basas.
Video Courtesy of One News
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