SENATE Committee on Basic Education chairman Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday said that he will urge the Department of Education to study the possibility of shortening the transition period in preparation for the return to the old school calendar.

During the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Gatchalian stressed that education officials should study the recommendation in consideration of the hot weather situation in the country.

The DepEd is planning to return the opening of the school classes to June for School Year 2026-2027.

“In fact, ang weather kasi ngayon, hindi na ma-predict, eh. At yung trend na nakikita po, pa-init hindi pa-lamig, no? So, I remember nung mga unang panahon, nung kabataan natin, hindi naman pumapalo ng 40 yung panahon. But this time around, 40 is the new normal, eh,” Gatchalian said.

“So, I agree, the short, the shorter the transition, the better. At isa iyan sa mga titingnan natin at kung kakayanin i-recommend sa DepEd na i-shorter ‘yung transition,” he added.

“But aminado ako, hindi kaya ng instant, no? Dahil nga, kung instant kasi may isang year na walang, ano eh, na wala tayong break, no? Academic break. So, let’s see if we can shorten it para hindi na umabot sa ganitong sitwasyon,” the senator further said.

Gatchalian said it is important to return the summer vacation on April and March, which is the peak of the hotter season.

Most students suffer heat stroke and other summer-related illnesses during these months.

Nevertheless, the senator said he is glad that the shift to the old school calendar has already started.

Gatchalian also said he is confident the DepEd can conduct remedial classes whenever it has to impose class suspension.