MANILA, (PIA) -- Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has made an appeal to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to reconsider the timing of the summer school break due to the intense heat experienced in recent days.

In a radio interview, Zubiri highlighted the challenges faced by students amid the extreme heat, emphasizing the need to address the issue promptly. He specifically advocated for reverting to the old school calendar, with the summer break falling in April and May instead of June to August.

“Due to the extreme heat this summer these past few days, I’m appealing to the President (and) Education Secretary Sara Duterte, that maybe we need to study and bring back the April-May break,” he said.

Citing numerous reports of children suffering from heatstroke, Zubiri underscored the importance of providing a more comfortable and conducive learning environment.

He noted the disparities between classrooms in the private sector, often equipped with air conditioning, and those in public schools, especially in rural areas, where the lack of basic cooling facilities exacerbates the discomfort for students.

“Our kids could come back on June 15 or the second week of June. They will no longer experience this kind of heat and hardship when it comes to their studies. Maybe the only ones that can afford it are the private sector classrooms with air conditioning. In our public ones in the province, there are no electric fans, nothing,” he said.

Zubiri recalled that the adjustment to the school calendar, shifting the vacation period to June-August, was initially made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022. However, he pointed out that this change has led to repeated class suspensions during the summer months due to the oppressive heat.

Expressing concern for the well-being of students, Zubiri proposed a return to the traditional summer break schedule of March, April, and May. By doing so, he argued, students would be spared from the severe conditions brought about by the scorching summer weather, thus facilitating a more conducive learning environment.

While acknowledging the historical rationale behind the June-August break as a measure to avoid typhoon-related disruptions, Zubiri emphasized the pressing need to address the immediate challenges posed by the extreme heat during the summer months.

Zubiri's appeal reflects growing calls from various sectors to revisit the current school calendar and prioritize the health and comfort of students. As the nation grapples with rising temperatures and the adverse effects of climate change, policymakers face mounting pressure to implement measures that safeguard the well-being of the youth and ensure equitable access to quality education. (PIA-NCR)