The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued implementing guidelines for the school calendar and activities for the School Year (SY) 2023-2024 as per Deped Order no. 22, s. 2023. The goal is to enable schools and community learning centers to efficiently implement school activities and maximize instructional time in alignment with the objectives of the DepEd MATATAG Agenda.
School Calendar of Activities for SY 2023-2024
Here are the important key points on the Implementing Guidelines for the Calendar of Activities for SY 2023-2024 per D.O 22 s.2023.
- School Year Duration: The school year (SY) 2023-2024 will start on August 29, 2023, and end on June 14, 2024, in accordance with Republic Act (RA) No. 11480, which extends the school calendar from 200 to 220 class days.
- Alternative Learning System (ALS): ALS learning intervention will begin on August 29, 2023, and the program duration will vary based on individual learning agreements determined by pre-assessment results and prior learning recognition.
- Learning Delivery Modalities: In-person learning remains the primary delivery modality in all schools. Private schools have the option to implement either five days of in-person classes, a blended learning approach (combining in-person and distance learning), or full distance learning.
- Suspension of In-Person Classes: In case of natural or human-induced disasters, armed conflicts, or other emergencies, schools will automatically switch to Blended Learning Delivery Modality (BLDM), and teachers will provide instructional support to learners through various modalities.
- National and Local Celebrations and Holidays: Schools and Community Learning Centers (CLCs) will observe only national and local holidays declared by the government.
- Preparations for the Opening of Classes:
- Early registration of incoming Kindergarten, Grades 1, 7, and 11 learners will be conducted from May 10 to June 9, 2023.
- Enrollment for all learners will start on August 7, 2023, and end on August 26, 2023.
- The Brigada Eskwela program, an initiative to prepare schools for the opening of classes, will be implemented from August 14 to 19, 2023.
- Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE): The OBE initiative, conducted from August 14 to August 26, 2023, engages agencies and stakeholders in ensuring a smooth start to the school year and addressing concerns and queries.
- Assessments: Teachers will conduct formative and summative assessments regularly to monitor learners’ progress. At the national level, the Bureau of Education Assessment (BEA) will administer system assessments such as Early Language Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (ELLNA), National Achievement Test (NAT), National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE), Accreditation and Equivalency Assessment (A&E), and Grade Level Placement Assessment.
- Early Childhood Development (ECD) Checklist: All elementary schools will administer the ECD Checklist for Kindergarten learners during the opening of classes, midyear, and end of the school year (EOSY) to plan appropriate interventions.
- Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI): The Phil-IRI Groups Screening Test (GST) will be conducted within the first or second month of the school year, followed by the individualized Phil-IRI Assessment. The results will guide teachers in designing reading interventions.
- Multi-Factored Assessment Tool (MFAT): Grade 1 learners will undergo the MFAT a month after the opening of classes to identify developmental advancement, delays, or manifestations of learning disabilities.
- Career Guidance Activities: Career guidance activities will assist junior high school (JHS) learners in choosing their preferred senior high school (SHS) track and support SHS learners in their future educational decisions.
- General Assembly and Parent-Teacher Conferences: Schools will hold general assemblies at the beginning, middle, and EOSY to inform stakeholders about DepEd’s vision, mission, core values, and curriculum. Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held after quarterly examinations to discuss learners’ progress.
- Professional Development of Teachers: An annual five-day mid-year break will include Midyear Performance Review and Evaluation and School-Based In-service Training (INSET) for teachers. For SY 2023-2024, the five-day mid-year break shall be from January 24-26 and January 29-30, 2024. The Learning Action Cell (LAC) will be conducted monthly to improve teaching and learning.
- Christmas Break and Year-End Deliberation of Awards: The Christmas break will be from December 18, 2023, to January 2, 2024. The deliberation of awards and recognition will take place no later than ten days before the EOSY rites.
- End of School Year Break: The End of School Year break will be from June 17 to August 25, 2024.