“The return to the June to March school calendar will not only improve the quality of education but will also benefit our farmers by allowing students to participate in planting and harvesting activities during the appropriate season,” she added.
Under the proposed measure, the school year 2024 to 2025 would begin on the first Monday of June, just like in the pre-pandemic scenario. In consideration of this proposal, the current school year — which would run from August to May — should not end later than the fourth week of May. “We need to ensure that the return to the previous school calendar will be implemented in a safe and effective manner, with strict adherence to health protocols and guidelines,” she said.
“We call on our colleagues in the House of Representatives to prioritize the well-being of our teachers and students by supporting the passage of this bill. Let us work towards a better and more sustainable education system that can provide quality education to all,” she added. During the country’s hot and dry season, there were several reports that some students either fainted or were even hospitalized due to the intense heat, with the heat index ranging reaching 40 degrees Celsius or higher in some areas.Some schools were even forced to revert to online learning, even if the threat of COVID-19 transmissions were not imminent during that time.