1. Relative to Division Memorandum No.122 s. 2018 re: Conduct of Make—up Classes and First Periodical Test issued on August 2, 2018, this Office issues certain clarifications to wit:
a. The Department of Education reiterates that the implementation of makeup classes by schools remains optional granted that the required contact days for teaching and learning is not compromised.
b. Make-up classes are recommended in lieu of class cancellation due to national and local celebrations and holidays, as well as natural and man-made calamities only in cases where the total number of non-negotiable school days has been compromised. Thus, schools affected by series of class suspensions are not required to hold make up classes or add extra hours on school days if the required non-negotiable teacher-pupil contact time is still intact.
c. In exceptional cases, schools need not use Saturdays for make-up classes. Aside from extending school hours on weekdays and providing other alternative delivery modes, teachers may give learners extra assignments or homework to catch up on missed lessons due to the lost school days.
d. As stipulated in the Enclosure No.1, Item no. 2 of DepEd Order No. 25 s. 2018 “Implementing Guidelines on the School Calendar for School Year 2018-2019”, “Learners are expected to be in school for a total of 200 days for this school year. To ensure quality in the school operation and actual teaching learning, the 187-day contact time for teachers and learners is non-negotiable.” It is clear that the schools have 13 buffer days to compensate for class suspensions due to celebrations, holidays and natural and man-made calamities. Hence, NO SATURDAY CLASSES shall be conducted if the 187 class days can still be achieved. Saturday or make-up classes shall only take effect in case there is less than 187 days and the remaining buffer days will not suffice to meet the required number of days for the current school year.
e. As stated in DepEd Order No. 25 s. 2018, “A mechanism for having make-up classes must be agreed upon by school administrators and parents”. Accordingly, schools shall submit documentation reflecting the consensus of the school administrator and parents before the conduct of make-up classes as an enclosure to a letter request submitted to the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent.
2. In view of these clarifications, any previous memorandum issued non-conformant with this Memorandum is hereby rescinded.
3. For the information and guidance of all concerned.
