Title
Supreme Court
Lengthen School Calendar to 220 Class Days
Law
Republic Act No. 7797
Decision Date
Aug 25, 1994
Republic Act No. 7797 extends the school calendar to a maximum of 220 class days, including days suspended due to calamities, without additional pay for teachers on twelve-month contracts, and allows for the possibility of Saturday classes.

Law Summary

Preservation of Class Hours Per Day

  • The existing total number of class hours per day must not be reduced despite the lengthening of school days.
  • This ensures that the extension of class days does not come at the expense of daily instructional time.

School Year Commencement and Flexibility

  • The school year shall commence on the first Monday of June but must start no later than August 31.
  • The Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports is empowered to determine the school year's end date considering Christmas and summer vacations and regional peculiarities.
  • The Secretary may also authorize Saturday classes for both public and private elementary and secondary schools to meet the extended class day requirement.

Implementation and Rule-Making Authority

  • The Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports must issue implementing rules and regulations within 90 days after the Act's approval to ensure enforcement.
  • These rules must focus on utilizing the total number of class days effectively towards meeting learning objectives.
  • The Department of Education, Culture and Sports must submit copies of these rules to the Congressional Committees on Education, Arts and Culture within 30 days of promulgation.

Repealing Clause

  • All laws, Presidential decrees, executive orders, rules, or regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

Effectivity

  • The Act takes effect immediately upon its approval on August 25, 1994.

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