As we plant seeds on abundant land, we do not just force them to grow. Instead, we give them time to flourish and execute biological processes to ensure that they will be able to live healthier and more productively. However, this may not seem to be the case in the calendar of the education sector of this very land. 

Anchored on the framework of the MATATAG Agenda in taking care of the well-being of both the students and teachers, the supposedly allocated months for students’ learning were shortened along with futile programs in mind.

As we transcend through the realm of education, let us first lay out a general fact. By virtue of our constitution, also known as the Philippine Constitution of 1987, it is said that all students must receive quality education. All students must have the privilege, regardless of their status and ability, to be able to attend school in a most justifiable and reasonable way. 

With this, it must be known that, by the verdict of the people in power together with the frontliners where people casually meet, there should be a good demonstration of acknowledgment and camaraderie. It means that leaders must create better plans and work along with the members of the whole sector without leaving them behind. Yet, the reversion of the school calendar does not seem convincing, especially to those who have to adjust because of the multiple workloads and adjustments.

In the context of one of the sub-initiatives under the said framework above, there is a program known as Catch-Up Fridays. Despite its promising visions, there are  two sides that shows, as described to cope with the struggles of learners,  where many discrepancies reside. According to the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), this program may not be considered beneficial and should actually be suspended because of the lack of preparation and a structured plan for its execution. 

Another organization also bared their statement siding with ACT, that there is an increase in absenteeism and tardiness from students during “Fridays.” Yet, DepEd continues to push for its goals, asking for understanding from its continents to give a chance to its implementation. With this, it is crucial to discern that these outcries, coming from members of the stakeholders themselves, should be given the utmost importance and consideration. These are data that weaken and poison the objective they believed to be helpful.

On a positive note, there is a fair sigh of relief coming from us about the initiative of the agency to finally revert to a comfortable calendar for students, educators, and anyone in between. However, growing and valuing progress at the right pace and with the strongest potential to succeed is what matters—not sacrificing the well-being of those whose voices would be left behind.

Indeed, it is true that no man is an island. Everyone has to collaborate and work together to make a system work better. 

However, this genuine situation on this island will be hampered if all people are blind and ignorant of the possible consequences. We must value that our institution and the system we have in education must be adaptive and inclusive of the voices of its stakeholders. Otherwise, we might be able to regret the decision that could have been better because of a deaf and callous axe blown through the tree of knowledge.