Malolos City: The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday announced that the opening of the school year 2025-2026 on June 16 would be beneficial for learners. In an ambush interview on the sidelines of the 'Brigada Eskwela' kick-off at the Barihan Elementary School in Malolos City, Bulacan, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara expressed that reverting to the old school calendar is appropriately timed.
According to Philippines News Agency, Angara stated that the June 16 start date coincides with a period that is rainy but not as severe as the previous year. Under Angara's leadership, the DepEd has returned to the original June to March school calendar. This decision aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to minimize learning loss attributed to frequent school day cancellations due to adverse weather conditions.
In 2024, significant rainfall led to the closure of numerous schools across Metro Manila, Cavite, and Calabarzon at the beginning of the school year. The early start date for the upcoming school year is a measure supported by the President to avoid similar disruptions. During July 2024, the effects of Typhoon Carina and the intensified southwest monsoon prevented approximately 842 schools from opening, impacting 803,824 learners.
The National Management Committee of DepEd reported on November 12, 2024, that around 53 school days were lost annually due to class suspensions caused by various weather disturbances. In response, the DepEd revised its guidelines in December last year, under DepEd Order No. 22, series of 2024, outlining class suspension protocols for natural and human-induced hazards.
The revised guidelines include provisions for typhoon and cyclone-related suspensions, heavy rainfall and flooding, earthquakes, power outages, extreme heat, volcanic fog, low air quality, and other emergencies. Schools facing suspended face-to-face classes are encouraged to implement modular distance learning, online distance learning, or blended learning if feasible to mitigate learning loss while safeguarding the welfare of learners, teachers, and staff.
Angara also called upon community members to participate in the nationwide preparation initiative, 'Brigada Eskwela'. He urged parents, teachers, and families to collaborate in readiness for the school opening, emphasizing the need for community support in school activities.
The 'Brigada Eskwela', formally known as the National Schools Maintenance Week, is scheduled from June 9 to 13, as detailed in DepEd Memorandum Order No. 42.
