DepED sets June 3 school opening

MANILA, Philippines - With a few more days left in the current school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) has set June 3 as the start of the next school year.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro issued Order No. 10 on Feb. 20, declaring an early opening of classes in public schools on June 3 and the last day of classes on March 31, 2014. There will be a total of 201 school days for school year 2013-2014.

The order also identified national and special non-working holidays to guide public school administrators in drafting their school calendar, and to ensure the non-negotiable 180 actual teaching-learning days, and four days of in-service training for teachers and parent-teacher conferences.

The first national holiday for school year 2013-2014 is June 19, the birth anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Semestral break is set on Oct. 28 to 31.

Private schools may deviate from the June 3 class opening, but should not come later than the last day of August.

They should also report to concerned DepEd division and regional offices their scheduled opening of classes.

The order also set the National Schools Maintenance Week, popularly known as the Brigada Eskwela Week, when DepEd taps the help of communities and private organizations in the cleanup of classrooms in preparation for the opening of classes.

The Brigada Eskwela Week will be conducted from May 20 to 24.