THE Teachers’ Dignity Coalition proposed to the Department of Education to open classes for the next school year on August 28 and end it on April 27, 2024.

“Here, the total number of school days shall be 193 including 33 Saturdays of asynchronous classes,” Benjo Basas, the group’s chairperson, said.

The TDC suggested that the remaining 14 days be treated as leave credit or paid vacation or sick leave thereby completing the average 60-day school break.

“To accomplish this, the Civil Service Commission may need to draw pertinent policies,” Basas said.

For School Year 2024-2025, the group proposed the start of classes on June 17, 2024 (with 44 days school break) until April 11, 2025 or 198 days. To complete the average of 60-day school break, the remaining 16 days shall be treated as leave credit or paid vacation or sick leave.

“In this scheme, the DepEd could ensure that by School Year 2024-2025, we would have reverted to our old school calendar with minimal adjustments, and without sacrificing the mandatory school break for teachers,” Basas said.

“For School Year 2025-2026, we will be fully reverted to the original June-March school calendar, which has worked for the country ever since,” he added.