Malacañang Friday threw its full support to the move of the Department of Education (DepEd) to cut class hours in a bid to address the overcrowding in some public elementary schools.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo appealed to government critics to give chance the DepEd program a chance.

“Let’s give them chance to implement this. Kung hind magiging effective, the Palace welcomes any move in improving the programs we have,” she told in a press briefing.

Quoting DepEd Undersecretary Wilma Labrador, she said the new DepEd measure is intended for congested public schools and “not applicable to all schools.”

“It is up to the principal if they will implement it,” the Palace official said.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus issued a memorandum in late August directing the reduction of class hours in overcrowded to four or five hours. He also ordered that integration of some subjects into other subjects to compensate for the reduced class hours.

Under the new program, students in Grade I and II will have four hours of class daily; Grade III with four hours and 30 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, Lapus 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, meanwhile, 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.