June school opening pro-rich, anti-poor

When will our Department of Education officials come to their senses that the school opening in June is unproductive, messy and anti-poor?

First, the June opening is fair only to chauffeur-driven rich students who have the means to cope with the worst kind of weather. This is the reason this sector hardly raises any strong protest against the opening of schools in June. I wonder too if the Deped is made aware of the large number of students who miss classes because they get sick or are absent on account of the bad weather.

Second, summer semesters need not do away with or sacrifice the young’s need or craving for outings and other summer “gimiks.” Their schools can always include in their curricula some extra-curricular field trips and other practical but constructive outdoor lessons. Students will be able to maximize their school attendance and make the most of their studies as there will be fewer class suspensions.

Next, a September opening will free students from the hassles and inconvenience of commuting or just hiking to and from school because of bad weather. And they will be less exposed to street hazards and vehicular accidents due to a rainy if not flooded commute. They get home in one piece and on time.

Finally, with the June opening we can’t expect our students to excel academically because our officials force them to go to school in the dreariest season of the year, when school means getting wet and flooded, if not getting sick.

By the way, only the Philippines opens its academic year in June. Most schools in progressive countries open in September.

—POMPEYO S. PEDROCHE,

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