Deped still studying proposed trimester shift

By Brian Campued

The Department of Education (DepEd) clarified that no final decision has yet been made regarding its proposal to shift to a trimestral academic system for the incoming school year 2026-2027, amid concerns raised by legislators, teachers, and stakeholders.

In a statement Tuesday, DepEd said that it is “actively conducting consultations and will continue engaging education officials and stakeholders in the coming days to ensure that all voices are heard and considered.”

“Our priority is that any reform must strengthen learning continuity while improving conditions for both learners and educators,” it added.

While it recognized that both structural and systemic issues are not “mutually exclusive” with each other, the department stressed that the trimester shift intends to improve the use of academic time as well as reduce workload pressures on teachers.

“Itinutulak natin ito upang magkaroon ng mas mahahabang, tuloy-tuloy na panahon ng pagkatuto, mas maayos na pacing ng mga aralin, at mas mababang administrative burden para sa ating mga guro. Sa ganitong paraan, napapangalagaan natin ang kalidad ng edukasyon,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a press release Friday.

Under DepEd’s trimester plan, the 201 school days shall be divided into three terms—June to September, September to December, and January to March. Each term will have 54 to 61 days of continuous and curated lessons and tasks with minor interruptions for non-academic activities and enrichment blocks.

Malacañang earlier underscored the need for further study and dialogue with stakeholders before making a decision on the matter.

“Mas maganda naman po talaga na pinag-uusapan lahat ito ng mga stakeholders, ng mga interested parties, lahat po, para po ma-reach iyong pinakamagandang programa para sa ating mga kabataan,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing Monday.

On Sunday, Sen. Bam Aquino said the Senate Committee on Basic Education supports proposals for reforms but stressed that any move should undergo thorough study.

“Bago ipatupad ng DepEd ang trimestral system, mahalagang sumailalim ito sa malawakang konsultasyon,” Aquino said in a statement.

“Sisiguraduhin natin na may Senate Hearing tungkol sa repormang ito, para suriin at pag-usapan ito,” he added.

-av