DepEd to push ahead with move to shorten classes

MANILA, Philippines - Despite strong opposition from teachers’ groups, the Department of Education (DepEd) will forge ahead with the implementation of the controversial DepEd Order No. 90, which will cut class hours in public elementary schools.

In a memorandum issued last Oct. 20, DepEd Undersecretary for Programs and Projects Vilma Labrador laid down the guidelines for schools that will be “expected” to implement shorter class hours.

In her memorandum, Labrador said schools that will be covered by DepEd Order No. 90 are those that are currently operating “double single sessions” or those in urban areas are already having two class shifts.

Teachers in schools covered by DepEd Order No. 90 were ordered to adopt “innovative strategies” to counteract the effects of the shorter learning hours.

Among the “innovative strategies” recommended by Labrador were “independent study through learning modules or self-learning kits” and a certain “Modified In-School Off-School Approach.”

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus issued last Aug. 25 the memorandum reducing the “teaching and learning time” in the elementary level.

The Order, which revised DepEd Order 291, decreed that classes for Grades 1 to 2 will have four hours, Grade 3 will have four hours and 30 minutes, and Grades 4 to 6 will have five hours.

Lapus said the reason for the move was the alarming congestion in classrooms in many public schools.

“In response to the alarming size or population of learners in a class or crowded classrooms, safety of young pupils and public clamor for lesser learning loads, the DepEd will implement a revised classroom program and subject nomenclature which integrates some learning areas that will result in reduced learning hours in the elementary level,” Lapus said in his order.

To allow the shorter class hours, DepEd ordered that Edukasyong Pagpapakatao will be integrated into all learning areas from Grades 1 to 6.

DepEd also ordered that Sibika at Kultura be integrated in Filipino from Grades 1 to 3, while Musika, Sining at Edukasyong Pagpapalakas ng Katawan (MSEP) was ordered integrated into Heograpiya, Kasaysayan at Sibika (Hekasi) from Grades 4 to 6.