DepEd School calendar for the academic year 2021 to 2022

SCHOOL CALENDAR AND ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2021-2022

Table of Contents

The Department of Education (DepEd) issues the School Calendar and Activities for School Year (SY) 2021-2022, in accordance with its commitment to learning continuity amidst the health crisis.
Pursuant to RA 11480 (An Act Amending Section 3 of RA No. 7797, otherwise known as “An Act to Lengthen the School Calendar from Two Hundred (200) Days to Not More Than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days”), President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, upon the recommendation of the DepEd Secretary, has approved September 13, 2021 as the opening date of the SY 2021-2022. The school year shall consist of 209 school days, inclusive of Saturdays and the five-day midyear break, and shall end on June 24, 2022.
With the compressed school year, the conduct of distance learning activities for learners on Saturdays is authorized. Should religious considerations prevent activities on a Saturday, they may be conducted on a Sunday. Nonetheless, teachers will not be required to render service on Saturdays and Sundays.
The conduct of face-to-face classes, whether in partial or full scale, will not be allowed unless permitted by the Office of the President.
The Alternative Learning System (ALS) learning intervention shall formally open on the same date while the program duration will depend on the learner’s educational background or existing knowledge level prior to enrolling in the ALS program.
Private schools and state/local universities and colleges (SUCs/LUCs) have the choice to implement or deviate from this School Calendar. Moreover, they may begin classes not earlier than the first Monday of June and not later than September 13, 2021 pursuant to RA 11480. Nevertheless, any deviation from the school calendar shall be reported to the respective Regional Offices (ROs) in advance.
The Implementing Guidelines on the SY 2021-2022 School Calendar and Activities are provided in Enclosure No. 1.
Schools may observe national and local celebrations/ activities and holidays other than those indicated in Enclosure Nos. 2 and 3, provided that the activities are beneficial to the teaching-learning process, and that the total number of class days shall not be compromised. Regional Offices may issue supplemental calendars to reflect their local events.
In preparation for the opening of classes, Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela shall be conducted, focusing on information campaign and strengthening partnerships that complement the Department’s effort to ensure quality basic education.
This DepEd Order shall take effect immediately upon issuance, and shall be registered with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR).
For any clarifications or inquiries, please contact the Office of the Director IV, Bureau of Learning Delivery 4th Floor, Bonifacio Building, Department of Education Central Office, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City through email at [email protected] or telephone numbers (02) 8636-6540 or (02) 8637-43 47.
Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this order is directed.

Monthly School Calendar of Activities For School Year 2021-2022

After the President’s decision on the start date for the incoming school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) has finalized the School Calendar for SY 2021-2022, which will still feature blended learning approach in the delivery of basic education.

As previously announced, the opening date for SY 2021-2022 is on September 13, 2021. It will end on June 24, 2022, for a total of 209 school days in adherence to Republic Act 7797 (An Act to Lengthen the School Calendar from Two Hundred (200) Days to Not More Than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days).

The conduct of face-to-face classes, whether in partial or full-scale, will still not be allowed unless permitted by the President.

Regular enrollment period will start on August 16 until September 13, 2021 while Christmas Break will be on December 20 with classes resuming on January 3, 2022.

AUGUST 2021:

August 13, 2021 – Start of Enrollment Period
August 3-31, 2021 – Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela
August 21, 2021 – Ninoy Aquino Day
August 30, 2021 – National Heroes Day

SEPTEMBER 2021:

TBA – Accreditation and Equivalency Test (A&E)
September 1-30, 2021 – Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela
September 13, 2021 – End of Enrollment Period
September 13, 2021 – Opening of Classes
September 13, 2021 – Start of Academic Quarter 1
TBA – Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd

OCTOBER 2021

October 5, 2021 – World Teachers’ Day
TBA – Administration of PEPT (regular)
October 4-17, 2021 – SPG/SSG Election (First to Second Week)
TBA – Start of Career Guidance Orientation for Grade 9,10,11, and 12

NOVEMBER 2021

November 1, 2021 – All Saints Day (Regular Holiday)
November 2, 2021 – All Souls Day (Special Working Day)
November 12, 2021 – End of Academic Quarter 1
November 15, 2021 – Start of Academic Quarter 2
November 27, 2021 – Parent-Teacher Conference/Distribution of Report Cards
November 27, 2021 – Araw ng Pagbasa
TBA – Accreditation and Equivalency Test (A&E)
November 30, 2021 – Bonifacio Day (Regular Holiday)

DECEMBER 2021

December 8, 2021 – Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion (Special Non-working Day)
December 20, 2021 – Start of Christmas Break
December 25, 2021 – Christmas Day (Regular Holiday)
December 30, 2021 – Rizal Day (Regular Holiday)
December 31, 2021 – Last Day of the Year

JANUARY 2022

January 1, 2022 – New Year’s Day (Regular Holiday)
January 3, 20202 – Resumption of classes
January 28, 2022 – End of Academic Quarter 2
TBA – NAT 12
January 31, 2022 – Mid-year Break

FEBRUARY 2022

February 2-5, 2022 – Mid-year Break
February 1, 2022 – Chinese New Year (Special Non-working Day)
February 7, 2022 – Start of Academic Quarter 3
February 12, 2022 – Parent-Teacher Conference/Distribution of Report Cards
February 25, 2022 – People Power Anniversary (Special Non-working Day )

MARCH 2022

March 28-May 30, 2022 – Administration of PISA in Selected Schools

APRIL 2022

April 8, 2022 – End of Academic Quarter 3
April 9, 2022 – The Day of Valor (Regular Holiday)
April 11, 2022 – Start of Academic Quarter 4
April 11, 2022 – Maundy Thursday (Regular Holiday)
April 15, 2022 – Good Friday (Regular Holiday)
April 16, 2022 – Black Saturday (Regular Holiday)
April 23, 2022 – Parent-Teacher Conference/Distribution of Report Cards
TBA – Administration of ELLNA, NAT 6 & 10

MAY 2022

May 1, 2022 – Labor Day (Regular Holiday)
May 2-6 & 10-23, 2022 – National Elections-related Activities
May 9, 2022 – National Elections
Every Friday Starting May – TAYO Naman! Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Service for DepEd Personnel

JUNE 2022

June 12, 2022 – Independence Day
June 23, 2022 – DepEd Founding Anniversary
June 24, 2022 – End of Academic Quarter 4 and School Year
June 27-July 2, 2022 – End-of-School Year Rites

JULY 2022

July 1-2, 2022 – End-of-School Year Rites
July 4, 2022 – Start of Remedial/Advancement Classes

AUGUST 2022

August 12, 2022 – End of Remedial/Advancement Classes during Summer

IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES ON THE SCHOOL CALENDAR AND ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2021-2022

I. RATIONALE

1. The Department of Education ensure the effective implementation of the K to 12 curriculum for every learner to acquire lifelong learning skills for the 21st century, and to experience learning beyond the class room despite the challenge posed by this pandemic.

2. Amid this health crisis, DepEd has been promoting the government’s overall initiative to encourage strict adherence to public health protocols while implementing policies that ensure the delivery of accessible responsive, and quality education. Schools and community learning centers (CLCs) are encouraged to adhere to the school calendar and activities to comply with the required number of school da s to attain the learning standards and ensure that national/local school event and activities/celebration s are observed.

3. The policy aims to provide direction and guidance to schools and CLCs in planning their respective activities relative to curricular operations and other celebrations/ observances within the required number of school days.

II. SCOPE

4. These Implementing Guidelines on the School Calendar and Activities for SY 2021-2022 shall be applicable to both public and private elementary and secondary schools including CLCs nationwide. Private schools and state/local universities and colleges (SUCs/LUCs) have the choice to implement or deviate from this School Calendar. They may begin classes not earlier than the first Monday of June and not later than September 13, 2021 pursuant to RA 11480. Nevertheless, any deviation from the school calendar shall be reported to the respective Regional Offices (ROs) in advance.

III. DEFINITION OF TERMS

5. For the purpose of this policy, the following terms are operationally defined as follows:

a. Co-curricular Activities are authorized, voluntary, and non-graded engagements, whether on or off-campus, that reinforce the development of 21st-century skills conducted beyond the scheduled contact time between teachers and students. The activities must be anchored on both the content and performance standards in the curriculum.

b. School day is a day devoted to instructionally relevant activities pursuant to engaging students in learning the lessons of the curriculum (adopted from D.O. No. 9, s. 2005).

IV. POLICY STATEMENT

6. The Department of Education issues these policy guidelines to ensure that all public and private schools, as well as non-DepEd schools offering basic education, adhere to the number of school days required to implement the curriculum and school-related activities , such as standard events and activities/observances, throughout the school year. Further, these policy guidelines ensure that school days are properly implemented to support learners in attaining the learning standards.

V. GUIDELINES

7. School Year 2021-2022 shall formally start on September 13, 2021 (Monday) and shall end on June 24, 2022 (Friday ). There shall be a total of 209 days inclusive of Saturdays and the five-day midyear break . With the compressed school year, the conduct of distance learning activities for learners during Saturdays is authorized but should religious considerations prohibit activities on a Saturday, they shall be undertaken on a Sunday. The teachers, however, will not be required to render service on Saturdays and Sundays.

8. The conduct of face-to-face classes, whether in partial or full scale, will not be allowed unless permitted by the Office of the President.

9. In the Alternative Learning System , learning intervention shall formally open on the same date, September 13, 2021. The program duration will be dependent on the learner’s educational background or existing knowledge level prior to enrollment in the ALS program.

10. Private schools and state/ local universities and colleges (SUCs/ LUCs) offering basic education have the choice to implement or deviate from this School Calendar. They may begin classes not earlier than the first Monday of June and not later than September 13, 2021 pursuant to RA 11480. Any deviation from the school calendar shall be reported to the respective Regional Offices (ROs) in advance, along with the following documents:

a. The school’s plan for compliance with minimum health standards issued by DepEd, consistent with guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH), the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the Office of the President (OP);
b. The updated school’s Learning Continuity Plan reflecting the learning delivery modalities that will be implemented , which shall constitute compliance with the requirements provided under Item 6 of Annex 3, DepEd Order No. 021, S, 2019; and
c. Their school calendar for SY 2021-2022.

11. In preparation for the opening of classes for SY 2021-2022, the schools shall conduct the following activities:

a. Enrollment, which shall be held from August 16, 2021 to September 13, 2021. A separate set of guidelines on enrollment for SY 2021-22 shall be released; and

b. Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela, to be held on announced dates, which shall focus on information campaign, preparations, and strengthening partners hips that complement the Department’s effort to ensure quality basic education.

12. The Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP), as contained in DO No. 012, s. 2020 entitled “Adoption of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan for School Year 2020-20 21 in the Light of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency” shall continue to provide guidance on the delivery of basic education for SY 20 21-2022. The health, safety and wellbeing of all learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel shall remain as the utmost priority of the Department.

13. Regional Offices are directed to make adjustments to enhance the implementation of the BE-LCP, to include:

a. Maximizing the use of DepED TV and and Radio-based instruction to lessen reliance on printed modules;
b. Utilizing textbooks to enrich learning experience;
c. Coming up with a strategy to encourage the return of learners who did not enroll last School Year;
d. Validating the number of private schools that temporarily suspended operations but intend to reopen this SY 2021-2022; and e. Ensuring equitable distribution of teacher ‘s workload following the basic standards set in Magna Carta for Teachers.

14. The Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCS) shall continue to apply for the SY 2021-2022. Similarly, assessment of learning shall follow DO No. 031, s. 2020 entitled “Interim Guidelines for Assessment and Grading in Light of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan“.

15. As provided in DO No. 029 , s. 2018 entitled “Policy on the Implementation of Multi factored Assessment Tool (MFAT )“, MFAT shall be administered to Grade I learners a month after the opening of classes. The results will be used as basis for instructional planning and for formulating appropriate intervention strategies for learners who exhibit development advancement or delays, or who show manifestations of learning disabilities.

16. Schools may observe national and local celebrations/activities and holidays other than those indicated in Enclosure Nos. 2 and 3, provided that the activities are beneficial to the teaching-learning process and that the total number of class days is not compromised. Regional Offices may issue a supplemental calendar to reflect their local events.

17. Curricular and co-curricular activities shall be conducted virtually in compliance with community quarantine guidelines. Virtual activities through different social media, which require reactions or sharing, may be done for advocacy, awareness, or collaboration purposes but should not form part of the learner’s scholastic grade. Curricular and co curricular activities that involve in -person gathering of a large number of participants like the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC), National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF), National Festival of Talent (NFOT), and other similar undertakings shall remain suspended, except for those that can be conducted virtually.

18. Career guidance activities shall be conducted between October 2021 and January 2022 to guide Grades 9 and 10 learners in making informed choices on their preferred Senior High School track. College and middle-level skills fair , job fair , business and entrepreneurship expo, and similar activities shall be conducted during the last quarter of the school year to ensure placement of Grade 12 learners in their preferred curriculum exits.

19. At the national level, the Bureau of Education Assessment (BEA) shall conduct the system assessments in the key stages, namely: Early Language Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (ELLNA) and National Achievement Tests (NAT) for Grades 6, 10, and 12. The ELLNA measures the language skills using learning area content and numeracy skills while the NAT assesses 21st-century Skills (problem-solving, information liter acy, critical thinking) through the lens of learning areas. The ELLNA and AT shall cover the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs). On the other hand, the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) shall be administered to ascertain learner’s aptitude and interest of learners and to provide them with relevant information about their skills, abilities, and readiness for academic and non-academic courses.

20. Parent-teacher conferences and the distribution of report cards shall be held not earlier than the second Saturday following the end of every quarter. Suggested dates for these activities are indicated in Enclosure No. 2. Specifically, the parent-teacher conferences are intended to appraise the parents on the progress and performance of their children and to ensure parental involvement in school activities.

21. In adherence to DepEd Order No. 014 , s. 2021 those who missed learning activities due to class suspensions brought about by various disruptions shall be accorded due consideration in the completion of their learning tasks.

22. The first two days of the five-day mid-year break may be spent to evaluate the school’s progress attained in the implementation of the educational programs, projects, and activities (PPAs), as well as to review the performance of teachers and the school staff in order to address concerns through collaborative effort. The last three days may be devoted for the conduct of the School-based In-Service Training (INSET) activities for the teachers’ continued professional development and the preparation of their Instructional Materials (IMs).

23. A general assembly of stakeholders shall be conducted at the start of the school year, midway through the year, and at the end of the school year. Orientation shall be done a week before the start of the school year. It should cover the curriculum, co-curricular programs, and ancillary services to support learner development and the continuous improvement of school outcomes. Mid-year and year -end general assemblies shall be held to present the School Report Card (SRC) and consult the assembly on how to achieve the school’s vision, goals, and objectives. Schools shall decide on the mode for carrying out the said activities , in compliance with the health, social distancing, and applicable quarantine protocols prescribed by the DOH and the IATF.

24. The Christmas break shall begin on December 20, 2021, Saturday. Classes shall resume on January 3, 2022, Monday.

25. The remedial/advancement classes for public schools shall start on July 4, 2022, Monday, and shall end on August 12, 2022, Friday.

26. Enclosure No. 2 of this policy presents the school calendar with the following markings on relevant dates:

a. Declared holidays and weekdays with no classes (X).
b. Days for INSET, Curricular and Co-curricular activities, home-school collaboration related activities.

27. Enclosure No. 3 indicates the list of celebrations/observances provided by law. Schools are encouraged to integrate such celebrations/observances in curricular activities as they deem reasonable and appropriate.

VI. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

28. The Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD), the Curriculum Learning Management Division (CLMD), the Curriculum Implementation Division (CID), and the School Governance Operations Division (SOOD) shall monitor the compliance of schools with the provisions of these guidelines. Likewise SDOs shall submit reports on the compliance of this policy through ROs to the Bureau of Learning Delivery.

29. Queries on these guidelines shall be addressed to the Office of the Director IV, BLD, via email address [email protected] or at telephone numbers 8637-4346 and 8637-4347.

30. The SDOs shall monitor the compliance of schools with the provisions of these guidelines and the number of school days.

VII. EFFECTIVITY

31. Th is DepEd Order shall take effect immediately upon issuance and shall be registered with the Office of the National Administrative Registrar (ONAR).

Activities and Celebrations/ Mandated by Law

JANUARY

January 1-31 – Food Conservation Month
January 1-31 – Zero Waste Month
3rd Week – National Cancer Consciousness Week
3rd Week – National Autism Consciousness Week
January 23 – Commemoration of the First Philippine Republic Day

FEBRUARY

February 1-28 – National Arts Month
February 1-28 – National Dental Health Month
February 1-28 – Philippine Heart Month
1st Saturday – Adoption Consciousness Celebration
February 11- International Day of Women and Girls in Science
2nd Week – National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
2nd Week – Safer Internet Day for Children Philippines
February 14-20 – National Children with Intellectual Disabilities Week
February 22-25 – EDSA People Power Commemoration Week
Last Week – Leprosy Control Week

MARCH

March 1-31 – Fire Prevention Month
March 1-31 – Women’s Role in History Month
1st Week – Women’s Week
March 8 – Women’s Rights and International Day of Peace
4th Week – Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child

APRIL

April 1-30 – National Intellectual Property Month
April 2 – Commemoration of the Birth Anniversary of Francisco ‘Balagtas’ Baltazar
April 9 – Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan

MAY

May 7 – Health Workers Day
May 22 – Commemoration of the Philippine-Australia Friendship Day
May 22 – Philippine Earth’s Day
May 28-June 12 – National Flag Day Celebration
May 31 – World No Tobacco Day

JUNE

June 1-30 – Dengue Awareness Month
June 1-30 – Dengue Awareness Month
June 1-30 – National Kidney Month
June 1-30 – W.A.T.C.H. (We Advocate Time Consciousness and Honesty) Month
June 5 – World Environment Day
3rd Week of June – National Safe Kids Week
June 23 – Department of Education Founding Anniversary
June 26 – International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
June 30 – Commemoration of the Historic Siege of Baler and Philippines-Spanish Friendship Day

JULY

July 1-31 – National Disaster Resilience Month
July 1-31 – Nutrition Month
3rd Week – National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week
July 23 – Commemoration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Day
Last Week – Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino

AUGUST

August 1-31 – Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa
August 1-31 – ASEAN Month
August 1-31 – National Adolescent Immunization Month
August 1-31 – National Breastfeeding Awareness Month
August 1-31 – National Lung Month
August 1-31 – Sight Saving Month
August 1-31 – Philippine History Month
August 1-31 – White Cane Safety Day
1st Week – Sight Conservation Week
August 9 – National Indigenous Peoples Day
August 12 – Philippine International Youth Day
August 19 – Commemoration of the Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon
August 19 – World Humanitarian Day
August 25 – National Tech-Voc Day

SEPTEMBER

September 1-30 – National Peace Consciousness Month
September 1-30 – Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month
September 1-7 – National Crime Prevention Week
September 2-8 – Literacy Week Celebration
September 5-October 5 – National Teacher’s Month
September 9 – International Day of Peace in the Philippines
September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
September 21 – Commemoration of the Anniversary of the Declaration of Martial Law
3rd Week – International Coastal Clean up
September 25-30 – Linggo ng Kabataan
September 26-30 – Linggo ng Kasuotang Filipino
4th Monday – Family Day
Last Week – Family Week

OCTOBER

October 1-31 – Consumers Welfare Month
October 1-31 – National Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month
October 1-31 – Scouting Month
1st Week – Elderly Filipino Week
October 5 – World Teacher’s Day
October 5 – National Teachers’ Day
2nd Week – National Mental Health Week
October 17-20 – Commemoration of the Leyte Gulf Landing
October 18-24 – United Nations Week
4th Week – Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week

NOVEMBER

November 1-30 – Filipino Values Month
November 1-30 – Malaria Awareness Month
November 1-30 – National Children’s Month
November 1-30 – Philippines Environment Month
November 1-30 – Library and Information Services Month
November 10-16 – Deafness Awareness Week
2nd Week – Economic and Financial Literacy Week
November 17 – National Students Day
November 19-25 – Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week
3rd Sunday – National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims
November 25 – National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC)
November 25 – National Day for Youth in Climate Action
November 25-Dec 12 – 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW)
November 27 – Araw ng Pagbasa
4th Week – National Week for the Gifted and Talented
4th Week – National Science and Technology Week
Last Week – National Music Week for Young Artists