Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO_ 4866

Introduced by Rep. BERNADETTE HERRERA-DY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill secks to change the start of the school year from June to September amending
for the purpose Republic Act No. 7977 entitled “An act to lengthen the school calendar from
‘Two Hundred (200) days to not more than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days.

Section 17 Article If of the Constitution provides that “ The State shall give priority to
education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism,
accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.” Corollary to
this the State shall ensure that students should develop the basic competencies amid a safety
earning enviroomeat.

The existing school year calendar begins from June through March of each year, falling
within the rainy season. During this time, strong typhoon hits the country bringing in
catastrophic floods, heavy traffic and highly communicable diseases. Students are exposed to all
Kinds of risks and danger that most decide to miss classes to avoid exposure to such elements,
This leads to poor academic performance and subsequently low achievement rate. Moreso,
classes are usually suspended due to typhoons, thus, the required number of school days are not
maximized for learning.


As a matter of fact, another strong typhoon again hit our country on the very first week of
the class which resulted to heavy floods in different parts of the country. This caused suspension
of classes not only for a day because some parts of the country are still flooded for several days.

Changing the school opening from June to September will definitely improve the learning
conditions for the students and ultimately lead to more productivity.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

BERNADETTE HERRERA-DY


ines,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

No._ 4866

AN ACT
CHANGING THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE OF REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED SEVENTY-SEVEN
HUNDRED AND NINETY-SEVEN

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SEC. 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7797 entitled “An act to strengthen the School Calendar
from Two Hundred days to not more than Two Hundred Twenty Class Days” is hereby amended to
read as follows:

“SEC. 3. Start of School Year- The school year shall start on the first Monday of [June]
‘SEPTEMBER but not later than the last day of [August] NOVEMBER.”

‘SEC. 2. The total number of schoo! days prescribed under RA No. 7797 shall be observed.

‘SEC. 3. The Department of Education jointly with the Commission on Higher Education shall
submit copies of the implementing rules and regulations to the Committees on Education, Arts and
Culture of both Senate and House of Representatives within thirty (30) days after its promulgation,

SEC. 4. All laws, presidential decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent
with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) national
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

BERNADETTE HERERA-DY