Summer class is defined as any structured instructional or formal learning experiences offered by a public or private elementary or secondary school during summer-break with the approval of the Schools Division Superintendent. DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2015 (Policy Guidelines on Classroom Assessment for K to 12 Basic Education Program) and DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2018 (Implementing Guidelines on the Conduct of Remedial and Advancement Classes during Summer for K to 12 Basic Education Program) are some of the DepEd Orders which serve as bases in the conduct of summer classes in basic education. Having the focus on the Senior High School (SHS), both DepEd orders provide clear guidelines on the conduct of summer classes in the SHS.
Those who are eligible to take summer classes are SHS learners who failed in any learning area at the end of the first or second semester, SHS learners who have any deficiency due to change of specialization/track after a year, and SHS learners who failed a prerequisite subject. Also, incoming Grade 12 learners who will undertake work immersion in the succeeding semester shall be allowed to take two to three advance subjects during summer so that more attention shall be given to their work immersion. Besides, learners from Grades 4 to 12 with special educational needs (LSENs) shall be allowed to attend classes during summer to cope with their learning deficiencies
With regard to the number of enrollees for summer class, there shall be a minimum of 10 enrollees if the subject is a core subject in the SHS. However, for a SHS major subject, a minimum of 8 learners is allowed. Otherwise, if the target number is not achieved, learners will be referred to nearby schools offering classes during summer.
As for summer class schedule, the conduct of remedial and advancement classes during summer shall start every 2nd Monday of April and shall end after the completion of the six-week period that might include Saturdays. For the SHS, an 80-hour per subject for Core Curriculum Subjects, Applied Track Subjects, and Specialized Subjects are allotted 2 hours per subject for 6-week period. The delivery mode of instructions shall be a combination of face-to-face, modular, or on-line learning depending on the learner’s learning profile.
The learner needs as well to undergo formative and summative assessment during summer class. The Final Grade for summer class is the Remedial Class Mark (RCM). For the learner to be promoted to the next grade level or semester, he/ she must obtain a Recomputed Final Grade (RFG) of at least 75 or higher. That is, their final grade in the subject they fail plus their RMC equals their RFG.
Summer class, indeed, is the opportunity for the learners to make themselves better as they are given a second chance. Besides, summer class is not only for learners who “did not meet expectation” grades, but this is also for other learners who are “left behind” in other ways. With proper implementation, the department’s aspiration that “No Filipino child should be left behind” is hoped to be achieved.
By Mark Aljon E. Valenciano