MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education confirmed that the academic year for 2020 to 2021 will start on October 5, 2020 and end on June 16, 2021.
The education agency confirmed that with the delay in the opening of classes, several changes have been made to the academic calendar. Meanwhile, Christmas break will remain to be within the usual scheduled December 20, 2020 to January 3, 2021.
UPDATE: DepEd amends school calendar for SY 2020-2021
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| School Calendar SY 2020-2021. Photo Courtesy: Facebook/DepEd Philippines |
The education agency confirmed that with the delay in the opening of classes, several changes have been made to the academic calendar. Meanwhile, Christmas break will remain to be within the usual scheduled December 20, 2020 to January 3, 2021.
UPDATE: DepEd amends school calendar for SY 2020-2021
Earlier, Education Undersecretary Jesus Mateo said that even with the changes in the academic year, they need to adhere to the law that it requires 200 to 220 calendar days.
"We need to abide by the law that it has to be about 200 to 220 calendar days and therefore there has to be some adjustments," he said.
Extended online class hours
Mateo explained among the possible changes is the extension of daily class hours. He said there is a possibility that they will extend the number of class hours to up to 7 to 8 hours.
He said, “There are several things. It can be done through extensions of all the classes. That means from 6 hours, it can be extended to about 7 to 8 hours in a day just so we can extend the number of hours for the delivery of the minimum essential learning competencies.”
The education official assured that DepEd will soon issue guidelines on the possible changes and adjustments.
Mateo's statement didn't sit well with the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) who called it "inhumane" and "harmful" to the well-being of learners and teachers.
Following ACT's complaints, Diosdado San Antonio, DepEd undersecretary for curriculum and instruction, clarified that the 7-8 hours online class extension is merely a suggestion.
He explained that learners can spend 3.5 hours to 6 hours a day studying, depending on grade level. This, he said, was similar to the class hours before the pandemic.
San Antonio, however, clarified that learners need not spend their entire class hours virtually. He said there is also asynchronous learning, where students are given time to self-study.
"We expect the same time to be spent for any distance learning delivery modality... Flexibility is allowed," said San Antonio.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the postponement of resumption of classes after Metro Manila and nearby areas were given stricter quarantine measures.
Briones clarified that while public schools will open on October 5, private schools have the liberty to start classes earlier as long no face-to-face classes will be made.
"All systems go tayo for October 5. Mayroong nakaumpisa na, hindi natin ‘yan pipigilan lalo na sa private schools. Sumunod lang sila sa atas ng presidente na sundin ang requirements ng DOH,” she said.
“Gawin natin ang lahat ng paraan ng pang-motivate sa mga bata para hindi mawala ang interes nila sa pag-aaral dahil sa tagal na wala silang pasok,” she added.
— Sally, The Summit Express
"We need to abide by the law that it has to be about 200 to 220 calendar days and therefore there has to be some adjustments," he said.
Extended online class hours
Mateo explained among the possible changes is the extension of daily class hours. He said there is a possibility that they will extend the number of class hours to up to 7 to 8 hours.
He said, “There are several things. It can be done through extensions of all the classes. That means from 6 hours, it can be extended to about 7 to 8 hours in a day just so we can extend the number of hours for the delivery of the minimum essential learning competencies.”
The education official assured that DepEd will soon issue guidelines on the possible changes and adjustments.
Mateo's statement didn't sit well with the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) who called it "inhumane" and "harmful" to the well-being of learners and teachers.
Following ACT's complaints, Diosdado San Antonio, DepEd undersecretary for curriculum and instruction, clarified that the 7-8 hours online class extension is merely a suggestion.
He explained that learners can spend 3.5 hours to 6 hours a day studying, depending on grade level. This, he said, was similar to the class hours before the pandemic.
San Antonio, however, clarified that learners need not spend their entire class hours virtually. He said there is also asynchronous learning, where students are given time to self-study.
"We expect the same time to be spent for any distance learning delivery modality... Flexibility is allowed," said San Antonio.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the postponement of resumption of classes after Metro Manila and nearby areas were given stricter quarantine measures.
Briones clarified that while public schools will open on October 5, private schools have the liberty to start classes earlier as long no face-to-face classes will be made.
"All systems go tayo for October 5. Mayroong nakaumpisa na, hindi natin ‘yan pipigilan lalo na sa private schools. Sumunod lang sila sa atas ng presidente na sundin ang requirements ng DOH,” she said.
“Gawin natin ang lahat ng paraan ng pang-motivate sa mga bata para hindi mawala ang interes nila sa pag-aaral dahil sa tagal na wala silang pasok,” she added.
— Sally, The Summit Express
How about the private schools in the rural areas? Is the government not going to help them?
ReplyDelete