School year 2012–2013 for public elementary and secondary schools nationwide will start on June 4 and will end March 22, 2013, comprising 200 school days, with 180 considered non-negotiable student-teacher contact time, a press release from Department of Education said.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said yesterday that the department came out with a new school calendar, under DepEd Order 26-2012, that synchronizes events and teaching–learning activities, to optimize the use of the prescribed 200 school days.

Private schools, on the other hand, may deviate from the calendar, but are enjoined not to start earlier than June 4 and not later than end of August. Any deviation from DepEd Order 26 should be relayed to the department, the press release added.

The order also said that schools may observe national, local celebrations and holidays, provided that the total number of school days is maintained and that make-up classes are conducted, to compensate for missed school dates.

DepEd also announced that the “Brigada Eskwela” program will be conducted from May 21 to 26; “Oplan Balik Eskwela”, May 28 to June 8; orientation on K to 12 for parents and stakeholders to start June 9; first quarter examination, August 2 to 3; and the National Career Assessment Examination, August 29, the press release said.

The second quarter examination is set from October 11 to 12; semestral break, October 22 to 25; Christmas break, December 22; and resumption of classes, January 3, 2013. The third quarter examination is from January 12 to 13; and early registration day, Jan. 26, the press release also said.

The national achievement test for fourth year high school students will be on March 6; from March 12 to 13 for grades 3 and 6 students; final examination days for grade 6 and fourth year high school students, March 14 to 16; last exam days for grades 1 to 5 and first to third year high school, March 20 to 21; and graduation either on March 18 or 19 next year, the press release added.*

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