Call for Adjustment: Move resumption of classes to January 6 for adequate rest and transition

Call for Adjustment: Move resumption of classes to January 6 for adequate rest and transition

As the scheduled resumption of classes on January 2, 2025, approaches, many parents, teachers, and students are appealing to the Department of Education (DepEd) to reconsider the date. The call is to move the reopening of schools to January 6, 2025, allowing sufficient time for rest after the New Year celebrations and for those who traveled during the holidays to return home comfortably.

This concern arises in light of Proclamation No. 727 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which lists the regular holidays and special (non-working) days for 2025. Notably, January 2, 2025, a Thursday, has not been declared a special non-working day, leaving many families with limited time to recover from the holiday festivities and prepare for school.

Parents and teachers have raised concerns that the January 2 reopening may lead to stress and logistical challenges, especially for those who traveled far for the holidays. They argue that extending the break to January 6 would provide students and educators the necessary time to transition smoothly back to school life.

Some have also suggested implementing Alternative Delivery Modes (ADM) temporarily, if rescheduling is not possible, to accommodate those still returning from their holiday trips or needing more preparation time.

The call for adjustment reflects a broader sentiment that balancing the academic calendar with the well-being of students and teachers is essential. Stakeholders are now awaiting DepEd's response to these appeals, hoping for a decision that considers the practical and emotional needs of the education community.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued Proclamation No. 727, declaring the regular holidays and special (non-working) days in 2025. January 2, 2025, a Thursday, has not been declared a special non-working day.

Here is the official list of holidays for 2025:

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀:
● New Year's Day: January 1 (Wednesday)
● Araw ng Kagitingan: April 9 (Wednesday)
● Maundy Thursday: April 17
● Good Friday: April 18
● Labor Day: May 1 (Thursday)
● Independence Day: June 12 (Thursday)
● National Heroes Day: August 25 (Last Monday of August)
● Bonifacio Day: November 30 (Sunday)
● Christmas Day: December 25 (Thursday)
● Rizal Day: December 30 (Tuesday)

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 (𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴) 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀:
● Ninoy Aquino Day: August 21 (Thursday)
● All Saints Day: November 1 (Saturday)
● Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary: December 8 (Monday)
●《Last Day of the Year: December 31 (Wednesday)

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 (𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴) 𝗗𝗮𝘆:
● EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary: February 25 (Tuesday)

𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 (𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴) 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀:
● Chinese New Year: January 29 (Wednesday)
● Black Saturday: April 19
● Christmas Eve: December 24 (Wednesday)
● All Saints’ Day Eve: October 31 (Friday)

The proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha will be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos will recommend to the President the actual dates on which these holidays will respectively fall.