The Department of Education (DepEd) announced that classes in all public schools have been moved from June 14 to June 15 (Tuesday) to give way to the celebration of the 112th Independence Day. Education Secretary Mona Valisno said the holiday for Independence Day has been moved from June 12 to 14 by Malaca?ang in accordance with Republic Act No. 9492. Under the law, holidays, except religious ones, are moved to the nearest Monday. Valisno said that the June 15 opening is mandatory for all public schools nationwide, but not necessarily for private schools. “They (private schools) may have a different school opening so long as they comply with the minimum number of class days for the entire school year and they notify the local DepEd Division Office of the date of their class opening,” she explained. Still, according to her, private schools may deviate from the June 15 opening, provided that they do not start classes earlier than the first Monday of June or later than the last day of August. Valisno explained that for the School Year 2010-2011, the DepEd will be strict about the required number of school days. – Manila Bulletin-2011, the DepEd will be strict about the required number of school days.
