Compiled by Joriz Palermo & Julianna Regalado
I’m in favor but I think it will be for S.Y. 2025-2026 because, during months of April and May, the season is very hot. Students and teachers are not comfortable in the classrooms’ which why we have half-day or asynchronous classes. – Jane Tesado, Special Education teacher
I used to take the school calendar for granted. I didn’t mind the old calendar, and neither did I mind when we shifted to the new one during the pandemic (which was definitely necessary for our education to not be delayed any further). But after seeing the effects that the seasons and the increasing heat index has on our health and well-being; it is really necessary that we revert back to the old calendar. DepEd however, also needs to look for ways to mitigate the undue stress it will give to the faculty and staff. -Lance Lagunay, Instructor for Anthropology & Sociology, Silliman University
While I do agree with their decision to return to the old school calendar system, given how hot it is during the April and May months, I feel like there wasn’t a lot of consultation done towards the students themselves. There is news that by 2025, the starting month will be back to June, though I believe there is little time for the school year to adjust back in the span of just a year. – Kayla Katerina Zosa, Graduate School student
I am in favor of returning to the old school calendar. Having taught in public schools, I understand the discomfort learners feel in poorly ventilated classrooms. This problem worsens during the summer and drought periods. A classroom is only conducive to effective teaching and learning when the learners are comfortable. – Ian Sialsa, senior, BSED English
Returning to the old school calendar in S.Y. 2024-2025 has pros and cons. On the positive side, synchronizing the end of classes with the summer season could indeed reduce the risks related to extreme heat, preventing incidents like heat strokes and fostering a more conducive learning atmosphere for students. However, on the other side, June, marks the beginning of the rainy season in many areas, having its own set of challenges, including the threat of floods and other weather-related calamities that could disrupt educational activities. Adjusting to the old calendar may disrupt schedules and affect curriculum pacing and extracurriculars. Decisions about the calendar should consider climate, educational goals, and stakeholder input for the best learning environment. — Blissful Win Degorio, senior Communication student, Negros Oriental State University
Ay, okay kaayo mi anang ibalik ang sauna kay init kaayo unya apektado kaayo mi mga nag tinda or apil pod sa skwelahan ba. – Rosie Gador, food vendor
I believe that the idea of re-implementing the school calendar the soonest time possible is the best way to address the current issue on frequent cancellation of classes due to extreme heat in all DepEd public schools. Our government has been trying to find the best remedy to help save our educational system particularly securing the safety and welfare of the learners. In order to continue the quality of education and at the same time prioritizing the health and safety of the students, I guess the best solution is to resort to going back to its original class schedule which starts on June and ends on March. The old calendar has been proven to be very effective and it has to be implemented this time if we want to go back to the normal class scheme and if we do not want to compromise the quality of education in the country. – Ferdinand Dipaling, principal, Balugo National High School
Okay na dai kay parehas ingon aron bakasyon na unta. Sakto nga ibalik na lang jud kay mao nay maayo kay luoy jud kaayo ang mga studyante kay mao jud ang maapektuhan. – Rhotz Jimenez, pedicab driver
Katong June to March? Aw, maayo jud to kay para ang mga bata mahipos na sa balay o maligo lang ug swimming pool. – Rodrigo Catubay, pedicab driver
Sa store jud, mas maayo ibalik jud tung before kay ingon aron tig-init wala jud miy customer. Wala jud miy customer kay init kaayo ang panahon, kay di sila mugawas. Unya mugawas pud ang mga tao ting sirado na pud, so ni maba jud amo sales kesa before. Unya half day na biya ang mga bata, so wala na jud halin tungod sa kainit. Unlike before, if mang gawas ang mga bata diretso na diri or ma lunch break diri sila, pero karun dili na, dungagan pa anang mag online or module. – Jocelyn Lagarde, UNITOP General Merchandise Inc., HR Representative
Wala raman pd problema kay ako duha ka anak maluoy ko unya tung isa salakiton so maayo ra pd siguro na, lisod kaayo panahon karun samot ingani i tunong ang skwela. – Rex Ojario, fish vendor
I don’t see any objections to this matter. I believe he has a valid point in approving and reverting to the old academic calendar by next year due to the El Niño phenomenon. The excessive heat inside the classrooms during summer is something our learners and teachers have been clamoring about. Too much heat affects students’ social and emotional well-being, making it harder to concentrate, increasing impulsiveness, and heightening the likelihood of aggression. It also presents serious health risks, potentially worsening existing health issues for our students and teachers. This leads to increased absenteeism and compromises student progress. – Antonia Dela Cruz, principal, Boloc-boloc High School, Sibulan
Personally, I don’t have a problem with reverting the school calendar to the old one, especially what we have experienced in the past years during summer of extreme heat which leads to class suspension. The only issue I have with reverting to the old school calendar is that it shouldn’t be abrupt. It will add to the burden of the school administrators and staff. Gradual implementation can ease the burden of the school admins and staff. – Kevin Cornelia, Arts & Design professor, Foundation University
It’s better jud mag-start sa June to March para ig panahon sa ting-init, makabakasyon pud unta ang mga estudyante.Naa pud sila’y time maka-relax. Di pud ko ganahan anang mag-module kay wala nay nakat-onan ang mga bata. Lahi ra sauna, mas nice jud ng mag-klase jud ug naa’y maestra. Kay sa karon, di man jud totally ang mga studyante moy ga-answer, klaro naman kaayo na. Bati kaayo ang pag-facilitate karon, wa ko ganahan. – Hannah Pabuaya, barbecue owner
It’s great news for students and families, especially given our current conditions with the extreme heat. Reverting to the normal or old calendar year will provide students with a more humid climate during school time, especially from June until before March or April. March and April are always extremely hot because it’s summer. This change will also benefit families, as this time is ideal for family vacations, giving them more quality time together. I think this is great news and would benefit all of us. – Maria Cassandra Salvino, food hub proprietor
