Pagpapaikli ng school year at mass promotion of students in times of emergencies, isinusulong

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE SHORTENING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND THE MASS

PROMOTION OF STUDENTS IN TIMES OF EMERGENCIES AND CALAMITIES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7977 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Article XIV section 2(1) of the Constitution states that "The State shall: Establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society". Our education system must always adjust to the needs of the people. In light of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic, our people need to be secure and safe more than

anything else, especially the children.

Society is currently at a standstill as industries and schools have been put on hold with the Implementation of the government's quarantine policies. As the virus continues to spread and there is still no clear end to this pandemic, the continuation of regular classes and the resumption of the school year upon the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine puts at risk the students who will be forced to attend classes considering the absence of online or non-face-to-face learning systems, as the virus cannot yet be completely eradicated from the country, we should not place our youth in harm's way by resuming classes. The most humane thing for schools to do Is to end the school year and provide students with passing marks or mass promotion.

However, the law on the matter, Republic Act No. 7977, does not allow for such humane measure as It provides that the school year shall be not more than 220 days and ending or shortening the school year may be considered a violation. Hence, there is a need to amend the law.

This bill, therefore, seeks to authorize the Secretary of the Department of Education to shorten the school year and mass promote the students in times of emergencies and calamities.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

FRANCIS "TOL" N. TOLENTINO