LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - There is now an urgent need to reset the opening of school classes from the month of June to September.

This is  the view of Board Member Nestor D. Reyes (second district, Pangasinan) who filed a resolution supporting the growing clamor of parents, teachers and school officials to transfer the opening of classes in preschool, elementary, high school and college levels to September of each year effective school year 207-2008.

In filing Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 1623-2006, Reyes observed that the present opening of classes in June coincides with the onset of the rainy season which is usually accompanied by typhoons and floods.

“The rains usually bring floods that expose children to diseases such as leptospirosis, dengue fever, flu and colds thereby endangering their health and lives,” he said.

Add to this is the incovenience that the students and teachers have to go through during rainy and stormy weather such as traffic jams and plodding through floodwaters.

“More often than not, classes are suspended during those times from June up to August,” he pointed out.

Reyes, chairman of the committee on education, arts and culture, said that most parents and school officials support the idea of moving the schedule of class opening, adding that most schools throughout the world observe the opening of classes in September.

He urged the province’s officials, particularly Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. and the other congressmen to support the idea “for the sake of our children.” (Jennifer Domantay/PIO)