MANILA, April 21 -- The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday said private schools in the country may adopt the new academic calendar of public schools.

The DepEd returned to its original school calendar from June to March, with school breaks set from April to May, according to its Department Order (DO) No. 12, series of 2025.

The DO said classes for school year (SY) 2025-2026 will start on June 16 and will end on March 31 next year.

In a Viber message, DepEd Media Relations Chief Dennis Legaspi said the DO only applies to public schools but may also be used by private schools.

"Private schools may adopt DepEd's school calendar. They may also set their start of classes, provided they comply with the School Calendar Law, which stat...