Rody Signs Into Law School Opening Reset

President Duterte has signed into law a measure that will allow the chief executive to adjust the start of the school year during a state of emergency or state of calamity.

- Alexis Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Rainier Allan Ronda, Neil Jayson Servallos

Republic Act No. 11480, signed by the President on July 17, amends RA 7797, which sets the opening of classes between the first Monday of June and the last day of August. But the government, so far, is sticking to its original plan of opening classes on Aug. 24.

“The school year shall start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August. Provided, that in the event of a declaration of a state of emergency or state of calamity, the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Education, may set a different date for the start of the school year in the country or parts thereof,” the law states.

The secretary of the Department of Education will choose the end of the regular school year “taking into considerations the Christmas and summer vacations, and the peculiar circumstances in each region.”

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has upset regular classes schedule.

“In the exercise of this authority, the Secretary of Education may authorize the holding of Saturday classes for elementary and secondary levels for public and private schools,” the law read.