By: Lou Anne M. Pronto
Republic Act No. 7797 states that “the school year shall start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August.” Therefore, the shift of moving class calendar from June-March to August-May as proposed and decided by some major universities around the country falls within the parameters of the mandated school calendar.
In studying the shift in the Philippine academic calendar, it is essential to note that there are certain universities in the country that are considered autonomous from CHED regulation, meaning they can adopt the change without CHED’s express approval. The University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle University are just examples of educational institutions which belong to this category. Though such university may change their academic schedules without seeking CHED’s approval, they would have to advise CHED of their plans. Universities that are not autonomous will need a directive from CHED before they can adjust their academic calendars.
Another government agency that has a say on this topic is the Department of Education, which primarily govern the elementary and high school educational system of the country. In the study conducted, DepEd Undersecretary Toni Umali said that there is “no compelling reason” for DepEd to change the academic calendar for elementary and high schools. This would therefore mean that high school graduates may have to wait longer before their tertiary education starts. If DepEd finds no compelling reason, what then led the country’s top universities to consider the change? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this change? Who will benefit and not benefit from this move? These are but just some of the questions that will be answered in this study. Spurred by the upcoming ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) economic integration next year, the country’s top universities have laid plans to synchronize their school calendars with their counterparts in ASEAN and the region’s partner nations. The Philippines is the only ASEAN member which still starts its academic year in June. The change could then benefit many foreign students who would want to enroll and study in the Philippines. Without the change, foreign students graduating overseas could only enroll in the second semester because it’s too late for the first semester. The new academic calendar also aims to broaden internationalization efforts of certain universities and extend the scope of potential partnership with other universities overseas. Exchange of students and faculty would also be easier considering the time frame. Cavite District Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla filed House Bill No. 104 which proposes to change the school calendar to “ensure the safety of students and teachers from waterborne and flood-related diseases”. The congresswoman cited the report from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) which states that 19 to 20 typhoons have often disrupted classes in all levels resulting in the suspension and irregularity of school days. This, she said, reduces 25 to 30 days from the regular number of school days. With the declared advantages mentioned above in the change in class opening, there are several disadvantages as well. One will be the long vacation for the new graduates from high school especially since there is no expected change in the grade school and high school calendar. While there may be a possibility of reducing problems related to the typhoon season, there is likewise a possibility of problems arising from holding of classes during the very hot months of summer. Another concern is related to the schedules of licensure examinations, which, right now, are in lined with the June-March calendar. The usual holidays and occasions during summer like the Holy Week, Flores de Mayo and town fiesta’s could also pose conflict in schedules. These holidays are traditionally occasions for family bonding and vacations. Many also fear that this shift made by some universities now comes so close to the implementation of the K-12 education system which has yet to manifest its full effect. Amidst the disadvantages mentioned, some universities have decided to change their academic calendar from June-March to August-May. Other universities are still studying the options and had planned a gradual shift, meaning they will start on July this year then on August the following year. In relation to their teachers, some universities, like Adamson is looking at the possibility of having two summer sessions –April-May and June-July – otherwise, teachers will not have enough teaching loads with the end of classes in March and the new start of the first semester in August. The transition will surely pose positive and negative outcomes. But that’s how globalization works. One cannot globalize without adjusting. Change maybe inevitable but rightly prepared, one can overcome its ill effects.
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