THE highest official of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Cebu Province supported the plan of third district Provincial Board Member John Ismael Borgonia to return the opening of classes for elementary and high schools to the month of June instead of August.

According to DepEd Cebu Superintendent Senen Priscillo Paulin said that the severe heat disrupted the classes, forcing the teachers to shorten it to protect the students and school employees.

“We support that proposal since it is for the welfare of the students,” according to Paulin during the regular session of the Provincial Board (PB) on Monday, May 15, 2023.

Paulin stated that another bill is required to amend an existing law that mandates that the number of academic calendar days must be at least 200. While the pre-pandemic academic year begins in June and runs through April of the following year, the current school year begins on August 22 and finishes on July 7.

Paulin notified the PB that a task force had been established by the DepEd Central Office to look into the matter.

Clint John Recopilacion, the federation president of the Parents and Teachers Association of Cebu Province, agreed with Paulin.

The representatives of the province’s School Board supported the proposed resolution, which urged the Department of Education to bring back the start of the school year for elementary and secondary schools to the pre-pandemic academic calendar.

Borgonia's resolution is expected to be approved in the next regular session of the Provincial Board on May 22. (PAC, TPT)