The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) wants the Department of Education (DepEd) to put aside its learning recovery initiatives, including Catch-up Fridays and the National Learning Camp (NLC). That is, if the DepEd eyes more Saturday classes to fulfill the academic calendar shift. 

To recall, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. approved the DepEd’s proposal to start the school year 2024-2025 on July 29, with its conclusion slated for March 31 next year. The proposal entails compressing the academic year to 165 days, falling below the minimum 180 days DepEd follows. To make up for lost days, the Department is proposing to conduct Saturday classes. 

TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas said it is imperative for DepEd to consult educators and curriculum experts to ascertain “whether asynchronous Saturday classes are necessary or if 165 days will suffice” to achieve learning objectives in the school year. 

“If the study shows that 165 days are insufficient for all competencies, only then should Saturday classes be imposed in an asynchronous manner, so that students and teachers do not need to physically go to school,” Basas said during a hearing at the House Committee on Basic Education.

Basas also called for the distribution of asynchronous Saturday classes throughout the school year, eschewing consecutive scheduling. “It should be at least once a month,” he said.

With potentially more Saturday classes looming, TDC urged DepEd to remove Catch-Up Fridays and the NLC this school year and ensure that the abbreviated 165-day framework is dedicated to core subjects.

“Wag na lang rin po i-impose siguro ‘no, with all due respect to our Deped, ang Catch-up Fridays. [After all], it died a natural death this year,” Basas said at the hearing and clarified in a text message that the recent frequent shift to alternative delivery modes and the adjustment of class schedules had pushed it to the backseat since April.

The teachers’ group earlier advocated to extend the school calendar 2024-2025 until April 11, bringing the number of days of learning closer to the traditional 180 days.

Basas said DepEd’s proposal submitted to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to condense the upcoming school year to 165 days is “much better” than TDC’s initial suggestion of 174 days. “Pero medyo malayo pa ang hahabulin sa traditional na 180 days,” he added.