MOST Filipinos prefer the school break to be from April to May, according to a Pulse Asia survey.
The survey, conducted from June 19 to 23, found that 80 percent, or eight out of ten Filipinos, agree with bringing back students’ April and May summer break, which falls during the country’s dry season.
The sentiment is shared by all respondents regardless of geographical and class divides.
Another 11 percent cannot say if they agree or disagree, while only 8 percent said they disagree, according to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who commissioned the survey.
At present, the school break is from July to August, which coincides with the wet season in the country.
Those who want to bring back the April to May summer break said this is because students find it difficult to focus on their academic responsibilities in an extremely humid climate.
Incoming fourth year student Avin Dela Cruz said it is grueling to stay inside a classroom, in a uniform and without proper ventilation, amid the intense summer heat. It hinders students’ capacity to absorb information being presented in class, Dela Cruz said.
“It’s not a comfortable environment for students to learn,” he said.
Communication student Gabriel J. Arevalo shared the view.
Arevalo told republicasia in a separate interview that it is best to bring back the school break to the original April to May schedule because it’s an ideal time for students to step away from their academic duties.
“Kasi yung April and May, yun yung tag-init talaga sa Pilipinas, so it’s really a good time to go to the beach and relax from school,” he said. “Perfect yung weather for a summer vacation.”
Meanwhile, Michelle Grace T. Henriche, another college student, said the April to May break would offer convenience to both students and teaching staff, especially when taking their health and safety to account.
The worsening climate change could pose health risks to them, especially given the inadequate facilities in the country, Henriche said.
Gabbie Nicolas also thinks that the Philippines should not adopt other countries’ school schedules for the sake of keeping up with the learning curve they have.
Photo by Ryan Baldemor | republicasia
Nicolas said it is best to revert the old schedule, as she noted that many students had requested the Department of Education to allow them to hold online classes due to extreme heat.
In line with this, Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate committee on basic education, said he would seek a review of whether there is a need to retrograde to the old school calendar.
He has filed a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry to revisit the critical factors in determining the school opening.
It will pin down policy interventions in relation to the school calendar, he said.
“Malinaw ang boses ng ating mga kababayan na nais nilang ibalik ang bakasyon ng mga mag-aaral sa buwan ng Abril at Mayo. Bagama’t hindi magiging madali ang pagbabalik ng dating school calendar, magsasagawa tayo ng pagdinig upang pag-aralan nang husto ang mga hakbang para itaguyod ang kapakanan ng ating mga guro at mga mag-aaral,” he said in a statement.
The basis for the school calendar is Republic Act No. 11480, which provides that the school year shall start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August.
It also states that in the event of a declaration of a state of emergency or state of calamity, the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Education, may set different date for the start of the school year in the country or parts thereof.
This allowed the DepEd to move the opening of School Year 2020-2021 to October 5, 2020 due to the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.
