To: Bureau Directors
Regional Directors
Schools Division/Qty Superintendents
Public and Private Elementary and Secondary School Heads

1. For school year (SY) 2005-2006, the following guidelines shall be observed in all elementary and secondary schools.
   1.1 To enable the community and the school to prepare the school facilities for the start of classes, the National Schools Maintenance Week, scheduled on May 16-20, 2005 shall precede the opening of SY 2005-2006.
   1.2 The elementary and secondary school year shall begin on a Monday, June 6, 2005 and end on a Friday, March 31, 2006. The simultaneous opening of classes for the elementary and secondary levels is intended to provide teachers at both levels with the opportunity to come together during the training programs and address common teaching concerns. It is suggested that one (1) day at least be allocated during the Summer training for the interface and integration between the elementary and secondary school teachers of each subject area within a specific catchment area. This means that the interface shall be between the teachers of the high school and those of its feeder elementary schools.
   1.3 The school year shall consist of two hundred five (205) class days. This is inclusive of the 5-day break and the parent-teacher conferences that shall be held on a Saturday immediately following the week after the administration of the quarterly examinations. The purpose of the conference is to apprise the parents of the progress or performance of their children and ensure parental involvement in school activities.
   1.4 The number of school days per month and the school activities for the school year are indicated in the Enclosure.
   1.4.1 The Christmas break shall begin on Saturday, December 17, 2005 and classes shall resume on Wednesday, January 4, 2006.
   1.4.2 The secondary school summer classes shall begin on Monday, April 17, 2006 and end on Saturday, May 27, 2006. It shall consist of a 3-hour daily session per subject area from Monday to Saturday for 36 days.
2. The dates given in this calendar shall be compulsory for public elementary and secondary schools. The private schools may deviate from this school calendar, provided, they do not start classes earlier than the 1st Monday of June nor later than the last day of August 2005. However, they need to comply with the minimum number of class days and notify the appropriate DepED Office in advance.
3. The observance of school celebrations or activities and holidays other than those indicated in the calendar shall be allowed provided that the minimum number of class days and hours is maintained. Make up classes shall be held to compensate for localized Suspensions due to typhoons and other calamities or local celebrations such as town or barangay fiestas, foundation day, anniversaries and holding of academic and non-academic competitions in certain schools or areas.
4. At the end of the school year, all division offices shall report to their respective regional offices the actual number of class days held in every school under their jurisdiction. Regional officials shall submit not later than two weeks after the end of the school year a report on the actual school days in the different school divisions under their jurisdiction, together with recommendations on how the policy on meeting the required number of school days can be strengthened.
5. Immediate dissemination of and compliance with this Memorandum is directed.

Encl.:
As stated
References:
DepED Orders: Nos. 25, 28, s. 2004 and 9, s. 2005
Allotment: l-(D.O. 50-97)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
CELEBRATIONS & FESTIVALS
CLASSES
POLICY
SCHOOLS

DO_s2005_010