Despite the devastation brought by heavy rain and floods in past weeks, the Department of Education is confident schools affected by the disaster can catch up with their school calendar.

 

Education Undersecretary Tonesito Umali said the affected schools can hold makeup classes during weekends to make up for lost time, radio dzBB reported.

 

Umali was quoted in the report as saying the bottom line is to complete 180 school days for this school year, adding this year has a 20-day "allowance" for class suspensions.

 

He was referring to the DepEd's policy where this school year will have 200 school days, 180 days of which are non-negotiable student-teacher contact time.

 

Many schools in Metro Manila and parts of Luzon have suspended classes for more than a week in the wake of heavy rain and floods.

 

Some schools could not immediately resume classes since they are being used as evacuation centers.

 

Others could not hold classes since the areas they are located in are still flooded. –KG, GMA News