MANILA (UPDATED) — The Department of Education on Tuesday announced adjustments to the current school year at it gradually shifts back to the June to March school year.

DepEd moved the end of school year 2023-2024 to May 31, 2024, while the break will be from June 1 to July 26.

School Year 2024-2025 will start on July 29 and will end on May 16, 2025.

DepEd also adjusted the schedule of school activities, with the Third Quarter Examinations to be held on March 25-26, while the Fourth Quarter Examinations will be on May 16-17, 2024.

National activities will also be held on the following dates:

• Palarong Pambansa: July 6-17, 2024
• National Festival of Talents: July 9-13, 2024
• National Schools Press Conference: July 9-13, 2024
• Learners' Convergence: July 9-15, 2024

Class days will be shortened by at least 7 or 8 days because of the revision to the school calendar, DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa said.

Despite this, DepEd assures that there will be no disruption in the learning of students.

"Hindi kasi talaga natin pwede bawasan kaagad iyon kasi hindi matutunan ng mga bata ng lahat ng competencies," he said.

"That is why we needed to do consultation even with teachers para masigurado na iyong ating learning competencies natin ay hindi naman siya mapuputol doon sa taon na ito at walang hahabulin for the next year," he added.

Poa said adjustments in the succeeding school calenders are expected as the department is aiming to go back to June-March class schedule beginning school year 2026-2027. 

"Talagang ito ang gusto ng ating mga kababayan. As you know, may survey na lumabas na majority of Filipinos want to go back to the April-May [school break]," Poa explained to reporters.

Teachers' party-list welcomes decision

House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT Teachers party-list welcomed the DepEd's decision, saying it shows the department listens to stakeholders.

"Kami positibo sa amin ito. Ibininunga ito ng consultation ng DepEd with teachers, students, parents nung nakaraang January," she said.

She added this will also mean that graduation and recognition rites 

Castro said the adjustment will also affect the schedule for graduations and end of year rites, adding the eventual shift in academic calendar could reach the higher education institutions.

"Well, usually naman ang colleges or yung [Commission on Higher Education] ay nag-aadjust naman 'yan kapag nag-aadjust ng school year ang basic education," she said.

Calendar shift supported by clamor, PNU study

DepEd earlier said it has drafted guidelines for the reversion to the old June-March school calendar following proposals from education stakeholders.

It also said the gradual shift is to avoid disruption of school days.

The department said the "resounding consensus from extensive consultations with teachers, learners, and relevant stakeholders" that was corroborated by a study by the Philippine Normal University led to the decision.

Various groups have requested a review on the current school calendar as many students and teachers complained of hot weather inside the schools especially during the summer season.

• RELATED: DepEd drafts guidelines for reversion to June-March calendar

But reform group Movement for Safe, Equitable, Quality, and Relevant Education said in January that the weather is just one factor in fixing the education system.

"Ang problema pa rin natin kulang sa facilities, walang electric fan, siksikan ang mga bata sa classroom na dapat ay maliiit lang ang class size pero nayon parang sardinas. Dito nangyayari na hinihimatay ang mga bata," Dr. Lizamarie Olegario, the group's head of research, said then. — with reports from RG Cruz and Joyce Balancio, ABS-CBN News