Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 10) — The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) is suggesting that classes be conducted only 185 days per year, down from around 200 to 205 days, as the government studies the proposal to revert back to the June-to-March academic calendar.

The ACT on Monday said its proposal “ensures two months of school break for teachers and learners,” who were deprived of “ample rest and time to recuperate from the grueling work” in recent school years.

With the 185-day proposal, ACT added that every school year will end “two to three weeks earlier than the usual schedule and will bring back the school break to April and May after five years.”

“The April-May school break is what suits our country best as the hottest months of the year are not conducive to learning,” ACT chairperson Vladimer Quetua said in a statement.

“These are also the peak months for agricultural harvest, which we know that majority of our learners in the rural areas participate in,” Quetua added.

Senate Committee on Basic Education chairman Win Gatchalian earlier said the school break should fall during the summer months, following a report that students in Laguna experienced dehydration and heat exhaustion after participating in a surprise fire drill during a hot afternoon.

READ: Gatchalian: Time to revert to old school calendar