Students at West Central Elementary School I in Dagupan City now stay longer in class, with teachers extending learning sessions by up to two hours daily to help students catch up on lessons.

Grade 1 students under Lizalyn Nabor, a teacher, attend class from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., then return from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

To cover learning gaps, their sessions extend by 30 minutes, especially when teachers are engaged in outside activities like coaching for sports events.

“We also give assignment and reading activities at home. ‘Yung hindi naituro sa kanila, pagbalik ay mai-explain sa kanila,” Nabor said.

According to school principal Renato Santillan, the extended hours follow a Department of Education (DepEd) memorandum, mainly benefiting students in Grades 1, 4, 5, and 6.

“Habulin ang learning competency na losses ng mga bata. May mga activities sila na di maiwasan like Division Meet,” he said.

Parents support the program, understanding the need for additional learning time.

“Opo, para madagdagan ‘yung kaalaman nila. Matutunan nila lahat ng activities,” Carolina Tinte, a parent, said.