AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Education withdrew his proposal to shorten the two-month summer break of students to just two weeks.

“It was among the many options we were considering but noting the objections from our stakeholders, we will no longer propose a two-week break between school year 2020-2021 and 2021-2022,” Education Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instructions Diosdado San Antonio told reporters in a Viber message.

“I clarified that the previous news about a possible two-week summer break (attributed to me) will no longer be proposed by the curriculum and instruction strand,” he added.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition welcomed San Antonio’s statement.

“Teachers, by tradition and by rules are entitled to a two-month school break and the DepEd cannot just disregard this, it’s a matter of right,” TDC National Chairman Benjo Basas said.

The TDC earlier said that a two-week break is unacceptable. It noted that distance learning has been physically, mentally and psychologically exhausting for teachers and learners.

On Tuesday, the DepEd released the new schedule of activities for the current school year, extending classes to July 10.

Basas said that the two-month break would have to be adjusted too.