PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the return to the old school calendar, responding to widespread calls to restore the April-May school break, Malacañang announced Wednesday.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, classes for School Year 2024-2025 will commence on July 29, 2024, and conclude on April 15, 2025. This adjustment marks the beginning of a gradual return to the traditional school year, which runs from June to March.

Marcos made this decision during a sectoral meeting with Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte at the Palace on Tuesday. He instructed the Department of Education to initiate the transition back to the standard school calendar starting SY 2024-2025.

During the meeting, the Vice President presented two options for the school calendar shift. The first option included 180 school days with 15 in-person Saturday classes, while the second option proposed 165 school days without Saturday classes. Both options aimed to end the school year on March 31, 2025.

However, the President deemed the 165-day calendar “too short,” expressing concerns that it would significantly reduce school days and potentially compromise learning outcomes. He also opposed holding classes on Saturdays, citing the potential negative impact on students’ well-being and additional resource demands.

Instead, President Marcos suggested extending the school year to April 15, 2025, allowing students to complete 180 days without attending Saturday classes.

“Let’s just extend the school days. We can increase the number of school days as long as we don’t hold classes on Saturdays. So, the school day will remain the same. Just the standard,” Marcos said.

This decision reflects the administration’s commitment to balancing educational quality with student well-being.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition welcomed Marcos’ decision, saying it is not far from their proposal to end the classes on April 11 next year.

“Hindi man ito kagaya ng inaasahang agressive adjustment ng DepEd kung saan magtatapos sana ang school year ng March 31, 2025, hindi pa rin naman ito nalalayo sa TDC proposal na April 11, 2025,” TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas said.

“At bagama’t magkakaroon pa rin ng klase sa unang dalawang linggo ng Abril 2025 matitiyak naman na hindi na kakailanganin ang Saturday classes dahil mahahabol na ang tradisyunal na 180 days,” he added.