Manuel A. Roxas Elementary School - MARES

THE Department of Education is keeping its options open on calls from certain sectors to move the opening of classes from June to September.

"Maybe this is a good time to talk about it while we’re studying the K+12," Secretary Armin Luistro said.

The DepEd is currently reviewing the basic education curriculum including adding two more years to the current 10-year cycle. It is expected to release the initial draft of the curriculum review on Oct. 5

Sen. Franklin Drilon on Saturday filed Senate Bill 2407 seeking to move the opening of classes to September, saying that the June opening results in inconvenience to students, parents and even teachers.

"It has become impractical and unwise to commence the school year during the typhoon season as students, parents and school authorities have to deal with floods, landslides, diseases, lack of transportation and damaged school buildings," Drilon said.

Luistro said: "We don’t have a copy of the bill yet, but we’ll have more to say by October 5."

Drilon said during the rainy season, heavy traffic, particularly in cities, is inevitable due to massive flooding and bad road conditions while schools in affected areas are turned into evacuation centers.

Drilon said the country will also avoid the inconvenience and needless damage to life and property if his proposed measure is approved.

A similar bill (Senate Bill 565) was filed by then Senate President Manuel Villar but failed to get the support of the lawmakers.

Last year, the DepEd survey conducted from August to September showed majority of Filipinos still prefer that schools open in June.

The survey showed 66 percent of respondents were against opening classes in September, while 34 percent were in favor.

Only three regions were in favor of transferring the school opening. They were Region III (Central Luzon) with 54 percent in favor, Region VI (Western Visayas) 68 percent and Region IX (Western Mindanao) 51 percent.

The respondents came from schools in divisions nationwide and included teachers, parents, local government officials and other stakeholders.

Of 197 school divisions, 145 or 74 percent participated in the survey.

Majority of respondents not in favor of the September opening argued that holding classes during the humid months of April and May is not conducive to learning.

They said classrooms will need additional ventilation during the dry season, thus, incurring additional expenses for electricity. Also, they said, summer months are spent for family activities.

They said fiestas and other celebrations held during summer would affect the attendance of children in school while students usually work during summer for their school expenses.

Those in favor of the proposal cited health and economic reasons for the transfer of school opening. They said children are safer from illnesses and other health hazards brought about by the rainy weather and floods.

Among the countries whose classes open in September are the United States, United Kingdom, China, Canada, Germany, Russia, Iran and Mexico.

Around the Asean region, classes in Malaysia and Singapore start in early January while classes in Thailand open in the middle of May.

Source: Business Insight Malaya, Ashzel Hachero, 8-16-2010