After Sinulog, a day of rest

THERE will be no classes in public elementary and secondary schools in Cebu City tomorrow, Jan. 18, to give teachers and students time to rest after the Sinulog, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced.

DepEd Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent Benito Dagatan, who recently assumed office, said that some teachers pointed out that students don’t usually go to school on the day after the grand parade.

A make-up class will be done on one Saturday to make sure these schools meet the required 201 class days per school year, said Assistant Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent Danilo Gudelosao.

Make-up classes will also be required for schools that out-of-town contingents used as their quarters.

As early as Jan. 12, contingents started arriving in the city, which compelled some schools to cancel some of their classes on the day after, to give way to the performers.

Several classrooms in at least five schools are being used by out-of-town contingents. These include Cebu City Central School, Zapatera Elementary School, and Abellana National School.

These schools could either hold make-up classes on Saturdays or stretch their weekdays by a few hours until they meet the required class time.

Contingents from Abuyog in Leyte and Panglao in Bohol are staying in Zapatera Elementary School, while Catbalogan in Samar and two contingents from Placer, Masbate are in Cebu City Central School.

Contingents from Lanao del Norte and Tangub City are in Abellana.

The entire science building of Zapatera is being used as quarters of some dancers and props men, affecting classes from Grades 3 to 6.

Jason Borres, president of the Parents-Teachers’ Association (PTA) of Zapatera, said classes have been affected and make-up classes should be done.

Since early this month, the school has been preparing for the National Achievement Test, which will be administered in March.

“Naapektuhan gyod ang mga klase, pero para man ni kang Sto. Niño tanan, mao nga pangitaan lang sad ug paagi nga makabawi (The classes were affected but all this is for the Sto. Niño, so we’ll just have to find a way to make up for the lost hours,” he said.