On April 25, 2024, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved the MATATAG Agenda and Basic Education Plan (2030) of the Department of Education (DepEd) as the national policy and plan of the Philippines for its basic education. To ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the K to 12 Curriculum, DepEd abides by the goals and objectives of the MATATAG Agenda. The department also issued the DepEd Order 3, series 2024, to revise the school calendar and activities for the school year (SY) 2023 to 2024.
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President Ferdinand Marcos, Chairperson of NEDA, approved the Basic Education Development Plan 2023 and MATATAG Agenda, which serve as a roadmap of DepEd commitments and deliverables by 2028. DepEd Order 3 contains amended guidelines that can help schools, community learning centers, school division offices (SDOs), and regional offices (ROs) to constantly enhance the management and operations relevant to school activities conduct and the teaching-learning process.
What is DepEd Order 3
Promulgated on February 19, 2024, DepEd Order (DO) 3, series (s.) 2024, contains the Amendment to DepEd Order 22, series 2023, titled the Implementing Guidelines on the School Calendar and Activities for School Year 2023-2024. This order conforms with the Department of Education’s commitment to the MATATAG agenda: “Take good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive education, and a positive learning environment.” DepEd prioritizes learners’ and teachers’ health, safety, and well-being in this issuance.
Furthermore, it ensures the commitment of DepEd by acknowledging the clamor to slowly return the school calendar to the pre-pandemic opening of classes. Apart from that, DepEd recognizes the resounding consensus from comprehensive consultations with teachers, learners, and relevant stakeholders. The same call in the findings of the study conducted by the Philippine Normal University (PNU), known as the Analysis of the Basic Education School Year Calendar in the Philippines: Inputs to Policy (PNU, 2023).
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Scope
These guidelines apply to all public elementary and secondary schools and Community Learning Centers (CLCs) nationwide. Meanwhile, private schools, state/local universities, and colleges may apply these guidelines. However, they should conform with the provisions specified under Republic Act (RA) 11480, which requires the school calendar to consist of no more than 220 class days.
Amendment to DepEd Order 22, Series 2023
A. In light of these considerations, the provisions of Part V of Enclosure No. 1 of DepEd Order (DO) No. 022, s. 2023, titled “Implementing Guidelines on the School Calendar and Activities of School Year (SY) 2023-2024, particularly nos 7, 26, and 28, are amended as follows:
Item 3, No. 7 – The End of School Year (EOSY) is adjusted to May 31, 2024, Friday.
Item 3, No. 26 – The School Awards Committee should carefully deliberate on awards and recognition not later than three (3) calendar days before the EOSY Rites for the following:
- Learners who will receive recognition and awards
- Learners who are candidates for graduation
Item 3, No. 28 – The EOSY Break should occur from June 1 to July 26, 2024, Friday.
B. The following are relevant sections of the Monthly School Calendar of Activities:
Quarterly Examination – The following is the schedule of quarterly examinations:
- Academic Quarter 3 – March 25 and 26, 2024
- Academic Quarter 4 – May 16 and 17, 2024
EOSY Rites – The EOSY Rites should be conducted from May 29 to 31, 2024. Under exceptional conditions, the schools may conduct the EOSY Rite on June 1, 2024 (Saturday), after consulting with parents and teachers.
C. DepEd Order 3, series 2024, enclosed the Monthly School Calendar of Activities for School Year 2023-2024, which contains the activities and their corresponding implementation or administration dates.
D. Below are the supplemental provisions of the school calendar implemented in the SY 2023-2024:
National Learning Camp (NLC) – The NLC should continuously be implemented following DO 14, s. 2023, titled “Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of the National Learning Camp.” However, because of the adjustment to the school calendar of SY 2023-2024, activities in the Consolidation and Interventions Camps should be conducted within three (3) weeks instead of five (5) weeks during the SY 2023-2024 EOSY break from July 1 to 19, 2024. Also, the services of teachers in the NLC should be voluntary.
Centrally Managed Co-Curricular Activities – All Central Office-managed co-curricular activities should occur within the EOSY break with the following specific dates:
- Palarong Pambansa – July 6 to 17, 2024
- National Festival of Talents (NFOT) – July 9 to 13, 2024
- National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) – July 9 to 13, 2024
- Learners’ Convergence – July 9 to 15, 2024
Brigada Eskwela – The Brigada Eskwela should be conducted from July 22, Monday to July 27, 2024, Saturday.
Start and End of SY 2024-2025 – The academic year should commence on July 29, 2024, Monday, and conclude on May 16, 2025, Friday.
DepEd Order 3 Full Memo Download
To access and download the complete PDF of DepEd Order No. 3, series of 2024, a direct link is available on this page. By clicking the download button below, you can easily obtain a copy of DepEd Order 3 in PDF format.
Full PDF DepEd 3 memo file: https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/DO_s2024_003.pdf
Video: DepEd Order No. 3 s., 2024
To learn more about DepEd Order 3, series 2024, watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, DepEd Order 3 contains the Amendment to DepEd Order 22, series 2023, or the Implementing Guidelines on the School Calendar and Activities for the School Year 2023-2024. DepEd issued this order in line with the MATATAG Agenda. It also aims to gradually return to the traditional opening of classes way before the COVID-19 pandemic spread.
Under this order, DepEd also specified the amended provisions of DepEd Order 22, series 2023, from the adjusted date of the EOSY, deliberation of awards, recognition, and candidates for graduates. This order also contains the schedule of the Quarterly Examination and other additional provisions. Thus, all concerned should follow these amended provisions.
Summary
In a nutshell, DepEd Order 3, series 2024, provides specific revisions on the provisions of DepEd Order 22, series, containing the Implementing Guidelines on the School Calendar and Activities of School Year (SY) 2023-2024. Issuing this order ensures that DepEd offices and personnel, including all schools in the Philippines, adapt to necessary changes to provide quality education.
In addition, these guidelines will promote uniformity within the department and educational institutions in the country. It also contains supplemental provisions about the National Learning Camp, Brigada Eskwela, Co-Curricular Activities, and the start and end of SY. Therefore, all stakeholders should adhere to and implement the provisions in this order.