Education in the Philippines. It also ensures the successful implementation of the K to 12 curriculum to help learners obtain 21st century skills. Despite the difficulties brought by the pandemic, DepEd still promotes learning continuity. Thus, the department issued the DepEd Order 29, series 2021, to guide schools and their personnel for the school year (SY) 2021-2022.
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The department released this order to provide guidance and instructions to educational institutions. These guidelines will assist schools and CLCs in planning their school calendar and activities for SY 2021-2022. Furthermore, this policy encourages them to follow the required school days for the said SY, including the suggested academic events, activities, or celebrations.
What is DepEd Order 29
On August 5, 2021, the Department of Education promulgated the DepEd Order (DO) 29, series (s.) 2021. This order enclosed the School Calendar and Activities for School Year (SY) 2021-2022 to conform with the department’s commitment to learning continuity throughout the health crisis. In line with the Republic Act (RA) 11480 or “An Act to Lengthen the School Calendar from Two Hundred (200) Days to Not More Than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days,” former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved September 13, 2021, as the opening date for SY 2021-2022 and shall conclude on June 24, 2022 following the recommendation of the DepEd Secretary.
School Calendar and Activities for School Year 2021-2022
Scope
The implementing guidelines enclosed in DepEd Order 29 apply to public and private elementary and secondary schools, including Community Learning Centers (CLCs) nationwide. Meanwhile, private schools, state/local universities, and colleges (SUCs/LUCs) can opt to administer or deviate from these guidelines for the school calendar and activities for SY 2021-2022.
Guidelines
Here are the following guidelines under DepEd Order 29:
- The SY 2021-2022 should commence on September 13, 2021 (Monday) and end on June 24, 2022 (Friday) with 209 school days, including Saturdays and a five-day midyear break. Since this policy compressed the school year, the department gives authority to schools to perform distance learning activities for learners on Saturdays. If religious events prevent activities on a Saturday, they can perform them on Sunday. Nevertheless, teachers are not required to provide service on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Whether in full or partial scale, the administration of face-to-face classes won’t be permitted unless authorized by the Office of the President.
- During the Alternative Learning System (ALS), learning intervention should also commence on September 13, 2021. The program duration will depend on the learners’ existing knowledge level or educational background before enrolling in the ALS program.
- Private schools, state/local universities, and colleges (SUCs/LUCs) that offer basic education can choose whether to deviate or implement this School Calendar. As per RA 11480, they may start classes on the first Monday of June at the earliest and no later than September 13, 2021. However, schools should report in advance to their respective Regional Offices (ROs) any deviation from the school calendar.
- To prepare for the start of classes for SY 2021-2022, schools should perform the following activities:
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- The Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) should resume to issue guidelines on the delivery of basic education for SY 2021-2022. Also, the department focuses on ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of learners, teaching, and non-teaching personnel.
- Regional Offices should make adjustments that will boost the BE-LCP implementation.
- Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCS) implementation should carry on for the SY 2021-2022, and the learning assessment should adhere to DO 31, s. 2020, or the “Interim Guidelines for Assessment and Grading in Light of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan.”
- The Multi-factored Assessment Tool (MFAT) should apply to Grade 1 learners one (1) month after the opening of classes.
- Schools may also observe national and local celebrations/activities and holidays except those stated in Enclosures 2 and 3, given the said activities benefit the teaching-learning process but do not compromise the total number of class days. Regional Offices may also issue an additional calendar showing their local events.
- In observance of the guidelines for community quarantine, schools should perform curricular and co-curricular activities virtually through various social media. However, this order suspends activities involving many participants gathering in person.
- Between October 2021 and January 2022, schools should conduct career guidance activities for Grades 9 and 10 learners to make informed choices about their chosen Senior High School track. During the last quarter of the SY, schools should perform college and middle-level skills fairs, job fairs, business and entrepreneurship expos, and other similar activities.
- The Bureau of Education Assessment (BEA) should also perform system assessments in vital stages, including Early Language Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (ELLNA) and National Achievement Tests (NAT) for Grades 6, 10, and 12. Moreover, the administration of the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) helps determine the aptitude and interests of learners.
- Schools should conduct the parent-teacher conferences and distribution of report cards no earlier than the second Saturday ensuing the end of every quarter. Check Enclosure 2 for the suggested dates for these activities.
- In compliance with DO14, s, 2021, learners who missed learning activities due to class suspensions caused by different disruptions should be considered to complete their academic tasks.
- During the first two days of the five-day mid-year break, institutions may assess the school’s progress, resulting from implementing educational programs, projects, and activities (PPAs).
- Schools should conduct a stakeholder’s general assembly at the start, midway, and end of the SY. Also, perform orientation one (1) week before the school year commences.
- The Christmas break should start on December 20, 2021 (Saturday), while classes will resume on January 3, 2022 (Monday).
- For public schools, remedial/advanced classes should commence on July 4, 2022 (Monday) and conclude on August 12, 2022 (Friday).
Under this policy, Enclosure 2 provides the school calendar with relevant dates. Enclosure 3 suggests a list of celebrations/observations provided by law.
Enclosure 2:
Enclosure 3:
DepEd Order 29 Full Memo Download
If you want to download the full memo PDF file of DepEd Order No. 29, series of 2021, you can check out the downloadable file link below. direct link on this page. Simply click the download button below and get a copy of DepEd Order 29 in PDF format.
Full PDF DepEd 29 memo file – https://region8.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DO-s2021-029.pdf
Video: DepEd SUSPENDS 10 DAYS CLASSES | DEPED ORDER NO.29 S.2021
As discussed in the video, DepEd suspends ten (10) days of classes in all public schools nationwide. Based on the official school calendar issued by DepEd, there are no classes for the first two weeks of May. The issuance of DepEd Order 29 contains the suspension of classes, which enclosed the school calendar for SY 2021-2022.
Watch the video below to learn more about DepEd Order 29.
Summary
To sum up, DepEd Order 29, series 2021, provides guidelines for the school calendar and activities for SY 2021-2022. The policy applies to public and private elementary and secondary schools and Community Learning Centers (CLCs) across the Philippines. These guidelines may also apply to private schools, state/local universities, and colleges (SUCs/LUCs). Hence, all concerned educational institutions should follow the school calendar enclosed in DepEd Order 29.