Summer season is about to start. Many students are excited. Some of them are planning for their vacations at this early point in time. Summer vacation usually covers two months, April and May. During these months, the sun shines at its extreme. It’s a season for picnics, beach outing, swimming and vacation getaways. But after summer, here comes the rainy season. Rains starts to fall and it’s a sign that the students are getting ready to go back to school.
They are all excited to show their classmates their new uniforms, new bags and new notebooks. They are all in a hurry to tell their vacation stories and to chat with each other. Students are feeling the moment. Teachers are performing their duties.
After a couple of days, we would see weather reports flashing on our televisions telling that there is a storm or a weather disturbance being observed. All eyes are on TV. waiting for the announcement of suspension of classes. Classes would be suspended for days, or worse, for a week. Some students may like it, some may not, but you would hear most of them yelling “Walang Pasok, Basa Ang Chalk”. It sounds funny, but it’s not at all. This is an issue that involves the education program and schedule. When classes are suspended, it implies an interruption to the academic calendar of the Department of Education.
This is a serious matter that education specialists and experts have been concerning for years. They point it out that it is about time to reconsider the schedule in the academic calendar. This issue has been raised and has been a consideration to the education department for further analysis. There has been suggestions and proposals that instead of starting the classes by June, It should start by August. According to some, through this, schools are able to operate without the interruption of those calamities which happens mostly during June and July. On the other hand, some critics are pointing out that during April and May, when many festivities happen, students would not be able to be part of those traditions for they are still on school during those times.
There has been several discussions regarding this matter. If fact, the Commission on Higher Education had approved the proposals of some universities in Manila, stating that they would open the classes in college by August instead of June. Some universities have already started implementing this since 2015, such as Far Eastern University Manila, Adamson University, University of Sto.Tomas, San Sebastian College and some other universities and colleges in Metro Manila. The so called big three, Ateneo De Manila University, De Lasalle University and University of the Philippines, were also planning to do it this year.
The Commission on Higher Education is considering the possibility of requiring the state universities and colleges in the provinces to implement the same schedule of school opening.
In an interview, DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro announces that the department is currently on its study and analysis regarding this issue. He also added that it is about time that academic schedule be revised and reconsidered. Luistro told that DepEd remains focus on its mandate to provide quality education to the Filipino people.
At the end of the day, it boils down to the eagerness of the students to learn and the passion of the teachers despite the hindrances and difficulties.
By: Gloria B. Crisostomo | Teacher III | District ALS Coordinator Pilar Elementary School
