DepEd releases school calendar for 2013-14; classes to start June 3

School Year 2013-2014 in public elementary and high schools will start on June 3 and end on March 31, 2014, the Department of Education said over the weekend. DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro disclosed the school calendar in DepEd Order 10 dated Feb. 20. "This School Calendar aims to synchronize all core events and teaching-learning activities in order to maximize the use of the 201 school days for School Year 2013-2014," he said. Luistro said the school year includes 180 days of non-negotiable teacher-pupil contact time, and four days of In-Service Training break and parent-teacher conferences. Also, he said that while private schools may deviate from the school calendar, they cannot start the year earlier than June 3 and not later than Aug. 31. They should also notify the appropriate DepEd office in advance of any deviation. Schools may observe national and local celebrations or activities and holidays, provided the number of school days is maintained and makeup classes shall be conducted. Regional offices may issue regional school calendars "to reflect their respective concerns, provided that the total number of school days is not compromised," he added. Also, Luistro ordered regional offices to submit consolidated reports on the actual number of school days with activities in every school "not later than two weeks after the end of the school year." The reports will include recommendations on how the policy of meeting the required number of school days can be strengthened. Calendar A National Schools Maintenance Week will be held May 20 to 24. On May 27, the DepEd will hold a registration of 5- to 6-year-old children for Kinder and Grade 1. Oplan Balik Eskwela will be held May 27 to 31. Exams The first-quarter exams will be held Aug. 1-2, while the National Career Assessment Examination will be held Aug. 27 and 28. In October, the second quarter exams will be held on Oct. 10 and 11. A mid-year assessment and INSET and semestral break will be from Oct. 28 to 31. The third-quarter exams are scheduled Jan. 9 to 10. National Achievement Tests and the final exams will be held in March. Christmas break will start Dec. 21, and classes will resume Jan. 6. The third quarter exams are scheduled Jan. 9 and 10. — LBG, GMA News