Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said instead of moving the opening of classes to September, government should focus on improving school facilities.

Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. Monday said Malacañang is open to studying proposals to move the start of classes in college from June to September, as part of the country’s preparations for the ASEAN integration set in 2015.

The Philippines is the only country in the ASEAN that follows a June-to-March academic calendar.

Marañon said moving vacation time for students to meet the September opening of classes is not a good idea and he is against it.

Instead of nice summer months with good weather, vacation time for students will be in the typhoon months, he said.

This could affect the country’s tourism industry, he said.

Just because other countries start classes in September does not mean we should follow them, he added.

The big universities in Metro Manila are pushing for the moving of the opening of classes because, with the start of the ASEAN Integration in 2015, it will also mean easier exchange of students and faculty, Bro Ray Suplido, president of the University of St La Salle in Bacolod City, said Sunday.*CPG

back to top