CAGAYAN de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez today opposed the proposal to shift the country’s education system to the old school calendar, June to March instead of the present August to May.
As principal reason for his opposition, the Mindanao lawmaker pointed to the rainy season, most of which falls within the June-March period.
“Let’s retain the present academic calendar for the sake of our children. Let’s spare them from rainy-season related ailments, like colds, fever and flu,” he said.
He said just one life saved “is worth the decision to shift to the new August-May schedule.”
Rodriguez cited studies that have found that there are fewer rainy days in the present school calendar than in the old one.
“Let’s not expose our students and children to more rain, more flooding and rainier weather-linked risks. The young – those in pre-school, kindergarten and in the grades – are the most vulnerable,” he said.
He said fewer rainy days also mean fewer cancellations of classes.
He said the present academic calendar also aligns with the school schedules of many countries. This was another big reason for the shift from June to August opening.
“It enhances collaboration among Philippine and foreign schools and fosters faculty, personnel and student exchanges,” he added.
Rodriguez pointed out that returning the educational system to its old calendar would mean new difficult adjustments on the part of parents, teachers, other school personnel, and students.
“They have already adjusted to the August-May timeline. So, let’s leave it at that, let’s not disturb it,” he said.
Instead of tinkering with the academic calendar, he urged Department of Education (DepEd) officials to focus on improving eduction in the fields of sciences, mathematics, information technology, history, culture, English, and moral values.
“We have been lagging behind our neighbors in these fields. We used to have a fighting chance in mathematics, science and English, but this has disappeared,” he said.
He said Philippine education has continually deteriorated as evidenced by indisputable surveys on the status of our learners.
Rodriguez pointed out that Congress has seen such deterioration years ago, prompting it to create a joint congressional commission to review and come up with recommendations to improve education.
“But our efforts have failed, despite the tens of millions we have spent,” he said.
DepEd officials are reportedly considering returning to the June-March school calendar.
