The Department of Education (DepEd) has declared that the 2024–2025 school year will be 15 days shorter, beginning on July 29, 2024, and concluding on March 31, 2025 and this will be a major change after the pandemic setup for school. This adjustment attempts to solve the problems caused by the intense heat in April and May, which have caused several areas to suspend in-person classes.
Reasons for the Change
The necessity for protecting teachers and students from the extreme heat of the dry season is the main reason for the return to the pre-pandemic school calendar. Some locations are experiencing record-breaking temperatures; Metro Manila just registered its highest temperature of 38.8 degrees Celsius. The goal of this modification is to lower health hazards and guarantee a safer learning environment.
Impact on Educational Quality
To maintain the quality of education despite the reduced number of school days, the DepEd’s Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD) is developing innovative strategies. These include potential weekend online classes to cover essential competencies and ensure students do not fall behind in their studies.
Measures for Teachers
Teachers are also being considered in this transition. Proposals include granting additional service leave credits to compensate for the shortened summer vacation. This move aims to support teachers’ well-being and acknowledge their contributions during this adjustment period.
Proposed Adjustments
Several adjustments are being proposed to accommodate the shortened school year. These include:
- Online Classes on Weekends: To help cover the curriculum efficiently.
- Extended Summer Break: From June 1 to July 26, 2024, allowing for more preparation time.
- Brigada Eskwela: Scheduled from July 22 to July 27, 2024, to prepare schools for the new academic year.
Balancing Health and Education
Various groups and lawmakers have been advocating for the return to the old school calendar due to the extreme heat experienced by students and teachers in March and April. This move not only prioritizes the health and well-being of the students but also aims to maintain the quality of education through strategic adjustments. The BLD is working on a comprehensive plan to ensure that the competencies covered within the shortened school days remain effective and valuable.
This shift in the school calendar reflects a responsive approach to emerging climatic challenges and aims to balance educational quality with the health and safety of students and teachers. The DepEd’s proactive measures, including potential online classes and additional leave credits for teachers, demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that learning continues effectively despite the shorter school year.
Impact on Supply Chain and Logistics
The adjustment of the school calendar also has significant implications for the supply chain and logistics sectors, particularly in the Philippines.
School Supplies Demand
With the academic year starting earlier, the demand for school supplies will shift accordingly. This change necessitates that suppliers and retailers adjust their inventory schedules to meet the needs of students and teachers. Typically, the peak demand for school supplies occurs a few weeks before the start of the school year. Therefore, logistics companies must ensure timely delivery of these goods to avoid shortages.
Key Points for Supply Chain Adjustments:
- Inventory Management: Retailers need to stock up on school supplies earlier than usual. This requires a robust inventory management system to track demand and supply.
- Transportation Scheduling: Logistics companies should adjust their delivery schedules to ensure that school supplies reach retailers on time. This might involve increasing the frequency of deliveries during peak periods.
- Warehouse Operations: Warehouses must be prepared to handle increased volumes of school supplies. Efficient sorting and distribution processes are crucial to meet the demand.
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