MANILA, April 11 -- The immediate shift to the old school calendar will affect the welfare of learners and teachers, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

"To reduce the timeline any further would have significant impacts not only on learning outcomes but also on the well-being of learners and teachers due to the lack of sufficient breaks," the DepEd said in a statement released late Wednesday.

The DepEd noted that the two-year gradual reversion is already a reduced timeline compared to the originally proposed five-year reversion.

The department's remark came after calls to immediately bring the old school calendar back instead of its gradual reversion over two years.

It said it would discuss the matter with President Ferd...