Lengthening the School Calendar to Not More than 220 Class Days

August 25, 1994

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7797

AN ACT TO LENGTHEN THE SCHOOL CALENDAR FROM TWO HUNDRED (200) DAYS TO NOT MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED TWENTY (220) CLASS DAYS

SECTION 1. Lengthening of School Calendar. — Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the school calendar for each year beginning school year 1995-1996, shall be lengthened to not more than two hundred twenty (220) class days, inclusive of class days which may be subsequently suspended due to natural or man-made calamities.

The increase in the number of school days during the school year shall not be considered as a basis for additional pay for teachers who are paid salaries for the entire twelve (12) months of a school year: Provided, That the preceding provision shall not apply to those who are paid salaries computed by the number of hours they actually teach or whose salaries and hours of work are governed by existing Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). acd

SECTION 2. Non-reduction of Class Hours. — The total number of class hours per day provided under the present system shall not be reduced to compensate for the increase in class days.

SECTION 3. Start of the School Year. — The school year shall start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August.

In the implementation of this Act, the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports shall determine the end of the regular school year, taking into consideration the Christmas and summer vacations, and the peculiar circumstances of each region.

In the exercise of this authority, the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports may authorize the holding of Saturday classes for elementary and secondary levels for public and private schools.

SECTION 4. Issuance of Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports shall issue, within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act and ensure that the total class days prescribed in this Act shall be devoted to the attainment of learning objectives. cdt

The DECS shall submit to the Committees on Education, Arts and Culture of both Houses of Congress copies of the implementing rules and guidelines within thirty (30) days after its promulgation.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: August 25, 1994

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 90 No. 42 page 6246 on October 17, 1994.