Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Tuesday that it will transition to a three-term school calendar starting in the School Year 2026-2027. This decision comes after comprehensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
According to Philippines News Agency, the policy development involved multi-level consultations with educators, school leaders, parents, students, and representatives from both public and private education sectors. DepEd implemented a structured orientation cascade, starting from the Central Office and extending to division levels, to systematically gather feedback from the field.
The shift to a three-term calendar is a response to data indicating frequent classroom disruptions and uneven instruction pacing in the current school calendar. The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) Year One Report revealed that in SY 2023-2024, nearly three months of teaching and learning were lost due to weather disturbances and non-instructional interruptions.
DepEd stated that this loss led to compressed lessons and limited engagement with the curriculum. The new calendar aims to reclaim lost time with a structured school year comprising a short Opening Block for learner profiling and assessments, longer Instructional Blocks for continuous teaching, and End-of-Term Blocks for academic interventions and professional development.
The new structure is designed to provide a more organized flow of instruction, enhancing learner engagement and allowing schools clearer space for teaching and support activities. DepEd highlighted that the reform also seeks to protect teacher welfare by organizing administrative tasks into designated periods, thus reducing teacher burnout.
The three-term school calendar is part of a larger set of reforms aimed at improving basic education. DepEd plans to maintain open feedback channels, closely monitor the initial implementation, and periodically review the policy based on field experience.
Suggestions for preparatory measures, such as pilot testing and digital form calibration, are being considered to ensure a smooth transition for all stakeholders involved.
