MANILA - The Department of Education (DepEd) said Wednesday a photo circulating on the internet showing an apparent calendar for the next school year is false.

The photo suggested that School Year 2020 to 2021 will formally open on August 3, 2020 and end on April 16, 2021. It also listed the schedule for quarterly examinations and Christmas break, among others.

"We would like to clarify that the information from a malicious photo circulating online of what is supposedly the school calendar for SY 2020-2021 is false and unofficial," the DepEd said in an advisory posted on its Facebook page.

The agency said it would release an official school calendar for the next school year through a memorandum, which would be published on its website and Facebook page.

"We strongly encourage everyone to be responsible and to exercise due diligence to verify accuracy when sharing information online," the department added.

The fake calendar made rounds online while the school year was abruptly cut because of the coronavirus crisis and officials have yet to officially announce a schedule for the next school year.

On Tuesday, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the department was leaning towards opening the next school year in August from the usual month of June as the country dealt with the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

• READ: DepEd leans toward starting next school year in August, mulls Saturday classes

The DepEd on Tuesday ended an online survey which consulted education stakeholders on the schedule of class opening and other policies.

The opening of classes may still be affected by the decisions of President Rodrigo Duterte and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases on community quarantine guidelines, Briones said.

-- Report from Jaehwa Bernardo, ABS-CBN News

• DepEd: Learning continuity plan still in the works