Schools reminded to follow prescribed number of school days

With the successive suspension of classes in the elementary and secondary level due to the intermittent rainfall, the Department of Education (DepEd) is reminding schools to follow and implement the prescribed 202 school days.

This reminder was made by DepEd Assistant Secretary Teonisito Umali during the Broadcasters' Forum held recently at the Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City.

The past weeks have been irregular for elementary and high school students, in terms of reporting to school because of the daily downpour in Metro Manila and other areas in Luzon and Visayas. 

Umali said that make-up classes depend on the schools. "It is within the school principal and school division superintendent if their school will conduct make-up classes," he said. 

"Schools should follow the mandatory 202 school days, with the 180 allotted for actual classroom learning, and the remaining 22 as buffer days which institutions use for school activities like intramurals, foundation week, etc," Umali added.

According to Umali, class suspensions are counted in the 22 buffer days, so when schools exceed the allotted buffers, "it would be time for them to conduct make-up classes."

The required number of school days is in accordance to Department of Education Order 28 which schools nationwide should adhere to.