To give both learners and teachers enough time to spend Christmas with their families, the Department of Education on Wednesday announced an adjustment in the current school calendar paving the way for an earlier and longer Christmas break.
DepEd issued Order No. 49, Series of 2018 covering public and private elementary and secondary schools announcing that the Christmas break for this school year will start on Dec. 15, a week earlier than the original schedule.
As stated in Paragraph 10 of DepEd Order No. 25, Series of 2018, or the School Calendar for School Year 2018-2019, the start of Christmas vacation should be Dec. 22.
“We have been listening to the suggestions of the Senate, the Executive, the Congress, and the parents,” said Education Secretary Leonor Briones on the decision to have an early Christmas break for learners.
She also emphasized the “importance for students to spend more time with their families this Christmas holiday.”
In the DepEd order, Briones said that the department “values the importance of spending quality time with the family.” She added that “this Christmas season provides an opportunity for Filipino learners to strengthen their emotional bonds with their family.”
Based on the amended school calendar, classes will resume Jan. 2.
Briones clarified that Dec. 15 “shall remain to be a class day intended for school activities.” (Ina Hernando Malipot)
