DepEd: Christmas break to start December 15

Christmas break for kindergarten to Grade 12 students in public schools in the country will start on December 15, 2019, according to the school calendar released by the Department of Education (DepEd).

DepEd Order 007 s. 2019 indicates that: "The Christmas break shall begin on Sunday, December 15, 2019. Classes shall resume on Monday, January 6, 2020."

According to DepEd spokesperson Usec. Nepomuceno Malaluan, class suspensions in previous months are unlikely to affect the schedule for Christmas break this year.

"The calendar also ay localized naman with the adjustments that have to be made in light of suspensions. So far, walang indication that we will deviate from that school calendar," Malaluan told GMA News Online in a phone interview.

"There are municipalities that suspend more, kasi LGUs [local government units] 'yung suspensions eh and there are municipalities that suspend less kaya 'yung interventions for make up of lost periods is more of a localized matter. It will depend on regions and then divisions and even school level," he added.

Deped spokesperson Usec. Analyn Sevilla, however, noted that private schools may implement a different schedule.

"The department order is in effect for all public schools. Private schools have their own school calendar hence Christmas break for private school students are set by its school administrators," Sevilla said in a text message. —KBK, GMA News