By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Department of Education (DepEd) in Negros Occidental admits that classrooms in the province lack additional electric fans that would help students cool down amid high temperatures this summer.

In a radio interview over the weekend, DepEd-Negros Occidental spokesperson Ian Arnold Arnaiz said students in various schools have started to complain of extreme heat during face-to-face classes.

Arnaiz said at least two additional electric fans are needed for 45 students in a standard classroom.

The spokesperson hopes that consideration will be given to the request made by various sectors to revert to the old academic calendar.

However, the DepEd Central Office still has the decision for their request.

Based on the guidelines of the DepEd, the school year has been extended for another week with the graduation ceremonies to be held from July 10 to 14 this year.

Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson was in favor of a proposal by the Senate for returning to the old academic calendar.

During the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the DepEd adjusted the country’s school calendar to keep pace with the international educational system.

However, Lacson said the current situation demands a rethinking of the current school calendar.

“If we follow the current academic calendar, the school break is during the rainy season. Students cannot really go out and relax,” Lacson said earlier.

He said the months of April to May are the only suitable time for students to really unwind from school tasks.

Lacson said not all classrooms in the country have air-conditioning units.

The dry season’s scorching heat is not conducive for learning, Lacson said.

The high heat index could affect learning performance and even the students’ health, he stressed.

The Senate suggested the return to the old school calendar following an incident in Laguna province’s Cabuyao City wherein several students were hospitalized due to heat exhaustion during a surprise fire drill.

DepEd adopted the current August-to-July academic calendar during the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020.

With the end of the pandemic already in sight, the Senate said it is also time for the country’s academic calendar to return to its previous schedules.

Education spokesperson Michael Poa said the DepEd will look into the matter.

“We will take note of the suggestions,” Poa said.

He initially said DepEd had “no plans” to revert to the old academic calendar./DGB, WDJ