Bong Go on proposal to revert to old school calendar:

UNDERSCORING the need to prioritize the welfare and optimal learning conditions for students, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said he leaves it up to the expertise of concerned officials especially Department of Education to decide on the proposed reversion to the old academic calendar.

In an ambush interview after his visit to Ibaan, Batangas on Friday, June 2, Go remarked, “We will leave that to our education officials. Alam kong pinag-aaralan na po nila ito. They will form a group to study the proposal to return to the old academic calendar where school breaks run from April to May. Mas alam po nila ang kanilang trabaho sa departamento, kung ano po ang makakabuti sa ating mga kababayan.”

“Ang akin po dito, bilang miyembro po ng Senado, ay pag-aralang mabuti at huwag pong masakripisyo ang kalusugan ng mga kabataan. Ang ayaw natin dito, baka hindi nila kakayanin ang init tuwing summer kasi alam n’yo, nakagawian na natin. Alam n’yo, tuwing summer tayo, March, April, may bakasyon tayo nu’n dahil napakainit po ng klima, napakainit po sa classroom,” he continued.

The Department of Education has initiated a review process to evaluate the potential benefits and challenges of reverting to the old academic calendar.

According to DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa, the decision to consider reverting to the old academic calendar stems from several factors. He said the agency recognizes the need to address weather-related disruptions that often lead to class suspensions, extended school breaks, and subsequent disruptions to the continuity of learning.

“Hindi pa tapos yung pag-aaral tungkol diyan, kung ibabalik or hindi, so I cannot say for sure. Kung ibabalik man, hindi yan kaagaran because if we do that, hindi magkakaroon ng break ang ating mga learners at teachers,” Poa earlier said.

Previously, a survey of around 11,000 teachers conducted in the last week of March found that at least 67% of public school teachers experienced “intolerable” heat inside the classroom, distracting students and affecting their attendance.

Senator Go asserted that the DepEd, being the primary authority in matters of education, is equipped with the expertise and experience needed to thoroughly evaluate the situation.

“Unahin muna natin ang kalusugan ng mga kabataan. Health muna. And of course, huwag po dapat masakripisyo ang education. Importante dito, masusunod pa rin natin ang number of school days na kailangan nilang pumasok sa pag-aaral at huwag masakripisyo ang kalidad ng education kapag inadjust po natin balik sa dating summer break po,” said Go.

“I’m sure pag-aaralan po itong mabuti ng ating DepEd officials, mas alam po nila ang kanilang trabaho. So ako po ay nakikiusap sa ating mga officials na pag-aralan at kung kailangang ibalik, ibalik po natin, kung ano po ang mas makakabuti sa mga estudyante na hindi po maaapektuhan ang kanilang kalusugan,” he urged.

As he continues to aim for the improvement of the education sector, Go co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1964 or the proposed “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act” which aims to institutionalize the grant of a teaching allowance for public school teachers.

Under the proposed measure, which was recently approved on third and final reading in the Senate, the grant of the cash allowance authorized shall cover all public school teachers engaged in teaching basic education curriculum. The DepEd will recognize and implement the policy guidelines and learning delivery modalities (LDMs) for the teachers.

The teaching allowance will be used for the purchase of teaching supplies and materials, payment of other incidental expenses, and the implementation or conduct of various LDMs.

“By granting a teaching allowance to public school teachers, we are not only recognizing their dedication and hard work but also ensuring that they have the necessary resources to provide the best education possible to our students,” Go stressed.