Teachers to be spared from Palaro hosting job

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd)--Cebu City Schools Division will use non-teaching personnel along with the city scholars and other volunteers during the city’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 in July.

No teachers will be tapped in the preparation for the sporting event to allow them to take their summer break considering the DepEd’s amendment to the implementing guidelines of the school calendar and activities for the current school year.

“In line with the commitment of the Department of Education (DepEd) articulated in the MATATAG Agenda to “take good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive education, and a positive learning environment, this Department places the highest priority on ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of learners and teachers,” read part of the DepEd memo signed by Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte.

DepEd, in recognition to the clamor to gradually revert the school calendar to the pre-pandemic opening of classes and the resounding consensus from extensive consultations with teachers, learners, and relevant stakeholders, adjusted the date of the current school year to end on May 31, 2024.

This means that the summer break will be from June 1 to July 26, 2024. The next school year will promptly start on July 29, 2024 until May 16, 2025. The usual Brigada Eskwela leading to the opening of classes will be held on July 22 to 27.

The other activities scheduled in-between the end of the current school year and start of next school year have also been adjusted. Aside from the adjustment of schedules, it has been stressed that “No voluntary or mandatory tasks or activities shall be assigned to teachers from June 1 to 30, 2024.

Because of the prohibition, DepEd-Cebu City will have to maximize other available resources to help the city’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 set on July 6 to 17.

DepEd-Cebu City schools division assistant supt. Adolf Aguilar told The Freeman that they will be maximizing non-teaching personnel, city scholars, Sangguniang Kabataan, and other volunteers for the Palaro.

DepEd-Cebu City will also do a simulation of their plans thru the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Regional Meet set in the first week of May also here in the city.

Aguilar said they will make a public announcement should they still need more volunteers for the Palaro. –/FPL (FREEMAN)