The Department of Education (DepEd) is implementing a revised classroom program that reduces the daily school hours for students in public elementary schools, especially for schools that are experiencing the perennial lack of classrooms.

The move, said Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, is in response to the increasing student population, crowded classrooms, and the public’s clamor for lesser learning loads.

Under the new program, students in Grade I and II will have four hours of class daily; Grade III with four hours and thirty minutes; and Grades IV to VI with five hours.

Certain subjects in the elementary school curriculum will also be combined and integrated to compensate for the reduced hours, Lapuz said.

Edukasyong Pagpapakatao (EP) will be integrated into all learning areas for all elementary levels, while Sibika at Kultura will be integrated into Filipino from Grades I to III.

Musika, Sining, at Edukasyong Pagpapalakas ng Katawan, on the other hand, will be integrated into Heograpiya, Kasaysayan, at Sibika from Grades IV to VI. Science and Health subjects will be integrated into English from Grades I and II.