Beyond the Calendar: Building a Resilient Education System in the Philippines
The Philippines is transitioning back to the June-March school calendar, addressing concerns about holding classes during the hot summer months. While this is welcomed by many, the author urges careful consideration to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Reasons for the shift back:
- Heat concerns: The current calendar forced students to attend classes during peak summer months, raising safety issues.
- Teacher and student preferences: Many stakeholders requested a return to the traditional calendar.
Lessons learned from the previous shift:
- Short-sighted solutions: Shifting the calendar in 2014 to avoid typhoon disruptions proved ineffective as typhoons now occur year-round.
- Limited impact on international exchange: Calendar alignment with other countries did not significantly increase student or faculty exchange due to cost and logistical challenges.
Recommendations for the current shift:
- Coordinate across education levels: Ensure alignment between basic and higher education to avoid disruptions for transitioning students.
- Invest in climate-resilient learning environments: Upgrade classrooms to withstand extreme weather events instead of relying on calendar changes.
- Embrace alternative learning modalities: Utilize remote and modular learning to ensure continued education during disruptions.
- Increase internet access: Bridge the digital divide to unlock online learning opportunities for all students.
The author emphasizes that simply reverting to the old calendar is not enough. A comprehensive approach addressing climate change, infrastructure, and technology access is crucial for a successful and sustainable educational system.