The Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) applauds the Department of Education (DepEd) for its support of the proposal to immediately return to the old school calendar, which schedules classes from June to March and designates the hottest months of the year, April and May, as school break or summer vacation. 

"Yun pong dinanas nating init sa mga paaralan at kanselasyon ng face-to-face classes noong 2023; na dinaranas din natin ngayong 2024 ay hindi na natin mararanasan sa 2025," said Benjo Basas, the group's national chairperson.


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In a groundbreaking development, the DepEd has expressed its support for the immediate revert to the old school calendar, during today's hearing of the Senate Basic Education Committee led by Senator Win Gatchalian. Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas revealed that the agency has already submitted the proposed adjustment for the school year 2024-2025 to the Office of the President, with plans to start the school year 2025-2026 in June 2025. This move mirrors the proposal presented by the Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) to DepEd and the basic education committees of Congress, as articulated by Benjo Basas, who attended the hearing as one of the resource persons.  TDC suggests that the DepEd should conclude the upcoming school year, SY 2024-2025, earlier to facilitate the transition to the June 2025 school opening. Instead of the original end date of May 16, 2025, the TDC proposes ending the school year on April 11, 2025 covering 174 school days.

“Maraming complication yung school year na aabot sa May 2025, bukod sa 3rd week of April ang Holy Week, may mid-term election tayo ng May. Yung mga guro at mga paaralan ay kailangan ding maghanda. Kaya para sa amin yung April 11 or fIrst two weeks of April ay puwede nang isara ang school year, may konting sakrpisyo kasi umabot pa ng Abril, pero nasa hulihan na lang iyon,” Basas explained.

DepEd's response has been met with enthusiastic approval from the TDC, as it exceeds expectations. The agency projects the SY 2024-2025 to end by March 31, with only 165 instructional days, instead of ending on May 16. While awaiting the President's approval, the TDC expresses gratitude for DepEd's responsiveness to the concerns of parents, students, and teachers, and the support of the Basic Education Committees of both houses of Congress. 

Source: TDC