Schools in the country is set to resume classes on Thursday, January 2, 2025, following guidelines from Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 003, s. 2024.

Meanwhile School Year 2025-2026 begins June; or going back to the original school calendar prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and as response to the qualms re extreme temperatures every April and May.

Going Back to Old School Calendar

The resumption of classes comes right after the New Year’s Day celebration, uncommon but a key part for the government agency’s plan to revert to the old school calendar.

DepEd wants to bring the start of the academic year for 2025-2026 to June and ends in March or April; as compared to the present which usually begins August/September and ends in June, changes made as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic which halted classes in 2020.

The current school calendar, to note, has been receiving negative feedback from teachers and students due to the extreme temperatures driven by climate change felt every April and May.

VP Duterte Presents Two Plans

The plan, DO 3, was presented by Vice President and former DepEd chief Sara Duterte after consultations with teachers, school officials and parents. Two plans, one requiring Saturday classes and another without Saturday classes.

President Ferdinand Marcos R. Jr. apparently was in favor of the plan without Saturday classes despite having less contact with pupils (167 days, compared to 182 if with Saturday class), which will culminate March 31, 2025.

Marcos said he had concerns about student well-being and the additional resources need to hold Saturday classes.

Next School Year to Begin June 2025

A statement from the Presidential Communications Office reads, “As a compromise, he said instead of ending on March 31, 2025, DepEd should adjust the SY to end on April 15, 2025 to enable students to complete 182 days without using Saturdays to go to school.”

Moreover, DepEd-Bureau of Learning Delivery chief Leila Areola has earlier said that “aggressive shift” will prepare the school year 2025-2026 to begin on June.

Regarding the number of school day, Republic Act No. 7797 does not specifically provide a minimum school days in the country.

Sources: Philippine Star, ABS-CBN News, Politiko