Zubiri urges DepEd to revert to June-March school calendar due to extreme heat

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri urged DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte to revert to the June to March academic calendar for SY 2024-2025 due to extreme heat and recurring cancellations of face-to-face classes.

Zubiri cited health hazards posed by soaring temperatures, noting that class suspensions are becoming common as schools struggle with summer heat; PAGASA warned that 36 areas faced dangerous heat levels of 42-47ºC on Monday.

He withdrew his Senate Bill No. 788, which aimed to synchronize the start of the school year in August, advocating instead for an earlier school break starting from mid-March until early June.

The Department of Education suspended face-to-face classes in all public schools nationwide on April 29 and 30 due to extreme heat caused by El Niño.

Zubiri emphasized that returning to a June-to-March schedule would provide better conditions and safety for students during summer months when temperatures reach dangerous levels, and called on the Department of Agriculture to monitor livestock amid heat-related deaths.

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