Zubiri joins call for quick return of school opening to June | ABS-CBN
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Zubiri joins call for quick return of school opening to June
Zubiri joins call for quick return of school opening to June
Students walk toward their respective classrooms as school year 2023-2024 opens at the Corazon Aquino Elementary School in Quezon City on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
Students walk toward their respective classrooms as school year 2023-2024 opens at the Corazon Aquino Elementary School in Quezon City on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has joined the call for the earlier return of the opening of classes to June this school year to spare students and teachers from the extreme heat.
MANILA — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has joined the call for the earlier return of the opening of classes to June this school year to spare students and teachers from the extreme heat.
Zubiri urged the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education to revert the school calendar to June to March, which was the school calendar before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zubiri urged the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education to revert the school calendar to June to March, which was the school calendar before the COVID-19 pandemic.
HIs call differs from the original government timetable for a gradual shift to the old calendar by the academic year 2025-2026.
HIs call differs from the original government timetable for a gradual shift to the old calendar by the academic year 2025-2026.
"Aside from exposing our students and teachers to the dangers of extreme heat, I honestly believe that the prevailing weather conditions during summer are not conducive to learning," Zubiri said.
"Aside from exposing our students and teachers to the dangers of extreme heat, I honestly believe that the prevailing weather conditions during summer are not conducive to learning," Zubiri said.
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“Kaya kung puwede sana, huwag na natin hintayin ang school year 2025-2026. Kung kayang ipatupad sa susunod na school year, gawin na natin at kawawa ang ating mga estudyante sa susunod na summer," Zubiri also said.
“Kaya kung puwede sana, huwag na natin hintayin ang school year 2025-2026. Kung kayang ipatupad sa susunod na school year, gawin na natin at kawawa ang ating mga estudyante sa susunod na summer," Zubiri also said.
(If possible, let's not wait for school year 2025-2026. If we can implement it by next school year, we should because the students will suffer.)
(If possible, let's not wait for school year 2025-2026. If we can implement it by next school year, we should because the students will suffer.)
Zubiri also said that he has withdrawn the Senate bill that synchronizes the school year to start in August.
Zubiri also said that he has withdrawn the Senate bill that synchronizes the school year to start in August.
"In an ideal world, we do want to be in sync with international school calendars, to give our students a better chance at getting into programs abroad," he said.
"In an ideal world, we do want to be in sync with international school calendars, to give our students a better chance at getting into programs abroad," he said.
"But the reality is that the August calendar has proven to be disruptive to our education system, and even dangerous to the health of our children and school staff."
"But the reality is that the August calendar has proven to be disruptive to our education system, and even dangerous to the health of our children and school staff."
EXTREME HEAT IN SCHOOLS
Senate Committee on Basic Education chair Sherwin Gatchalian is set to lead his panel to look into the effects of extreme heat on basic education classes.
Senate Committee on Basic Education chair Sherwin Gatchalian is set to lead his panel to look into the effects of extreme heat on basic education classes.
His office announced that his panel would conduct a hearing on April 30 to discuss the effects of extreme heat on classes and the shift to distance learning.
His office announced that his panel would conduct a hearing on April 30 to discuss the effects of extreme heat on classes and the shift to distance learning.
Gatchalian said that while schools could implement remote learning, it also poses problems. He cited the lack of internet access in some households and other challenges faced by parents in a remote learning setup.
Gatchalian said that while schools could implement remote learning, it also poses problems. He cited the lack of internet access in some households and other challenges faced by parents in a remote learning setup.
State weather agency PAGASA has warned of possible dangerous heat indices in many areas because of the ongoing dry season exacerbated by the El Niño pattern.
State weather agency PAGASA has warned of possible dangerous heat indices in many areas because of the ongoing dry season exacerbated by the El Niño pattern.
The Department of Education said that in cases of emergencies or calamities, including extreme heat, school heads could suspend in-person classes and implement blended learning.
The Department of Education said that in cases of emergencies or calamities, including extreme heat, school heads could suspend in-person classes and implement blended learning.
Gatchalian urged the education department anew to study the possibility of having a shorter transition period in returning the school opening to June.
Gatchalian urged the education department anew to study the possibility of having a shorter transition period in returning the school opening to June.
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