While the current classes in schools, colleges and universities is about to close under the experimental August to May school calendar, there is a move to revert to the pre-pandemic June to March school year. The education department had already issued a directive to that effect. The question as regards the plan is when to implement it considering the many factors attendant to the proposal.
In the transition period, the school calendar for the forthcoming school year 2024-2025 would be adjusted initially to July to April, according education assistant secretary and deputy spokesperson Francis Cesar Bringas. Many quarters are hopeful that the plan would be implemented so that the school calendar would be back to the old June to March setup by school year 2025-2026.
The change of the school calendar was premised on the risks that school children are exposed to during the rainy months which usually occur during the start of the old school year. This is the argument being raised by those opposing the plan to revert to the old school calendar.
Situations in rural remote areas where school children have to cross rivers or reach school by banca along coastal areas are indeed a cause for concern. Urban areas are not spared from such risks brought by the rainy days which inundations in the metropolis. Indeed, the risks are enormous and policymakers must consider all factors in its plan to revert to the old school calendar.
Taking a different view, the old school calendar had withstood all kinds of calamities such as rains, floods, typhoons and volcanic eruptions. It remained a standard school calendar over the years during rains, droughts or other disastrous occurrences. In all instances, it is the people who adjust to every situation by taking measures to alleviate possible damages to life and properties.
The changing climate which seems unpredictable even with the modern instruments used by experts in the field is a clear indication that disasters are natural occurrences except the manmade environmental destruction that results in disasters.
There is no use changing the school calendar as the disasters it aims to avoid also changing. This calls for the reversion to the old school calendar and make it permanent thenceforth. There is no clear benefit in the change that was adopted to lessen the risks from the rainy days keep on changing year in and year out. It would be wise to revert to the old school calendar where graduates recognize the same semestral and summer breaks following similar school calendars.
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