School heads reminded: Don’t let students skip classes to practice Sinulog dance routines

Dr. Salustiano Jimenez, Department of Education in Central Visayas acting director | CDN Digital file photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — “Students should not sacrifice their classes to practice for the upcoming Sinulog 2020 Grand Parade competition.”

Dr. Salustiano Jimenez, Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepED-7), gave this reminder to heads and teachers, superintendents, and even parents with the Sinulog celebrations just next month.

Jimenez said that while the agency was supporting their participation in the Sinulog, students should not skip their classes to practice their routines.

“In so doing, hinaot unta nga dili gyud iapil ang time sa klase sa pag-practice,” he said.

(In so doing, we are hoping that they should not include sacrificing classes just to practice [their Sinulog routines].)

“Ang atoa gyud nga gikoan nga as much as possible ang 180 days nga contact days, dili gyud siya makuhaan even a day kay ang atong importante kay ma-develop pod ang iyang academic side,” Jimenez said.

(What we are trying to accomplish that as much as possible there should not be a day skipped in the 180 contact days with students because it is important to also develop their academic side.)

He said that the 180 contact days were non-negotiable from the 200 number of days in a school year calendar.

He suggested that they should take advantage of the Christmas break to practice their dance routines for the Sinulog.

Aside from that, a student should not be forced to participate in the competition and only those who were interested might be allowed to join.

The school will also need to secure parents’ consent before allowing their students to participate.

Jimenez also reminded school heads and teachers to follow the guidelines, especially in securing the children.

“Kung pananglitan mo-join sila ug competition hilabi na sa travel ug sa transpo, naa na tay mga requirement nga kinahanglan tan-awon ug sundon or else kung naay dili maayo nga mahitabo unya wala sila mosunod sa guidelines, then they can be accountable, the teachers, the principals or whoever is involved,” he added.

(For example, if students would join a competition and involves travel and transportation, we have requirements that needed to be followed or if something untoward might happen and the teachers did not follow the guidelines, then the teachers, the principals or whoever is involved could be held accountable.)/dbs