Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday announced the introduction of a three-term school calendar, aimed at addressing frequent class disruptions and fostering deep learning in public schools nationwide. This change, approved by the Cabinet, is set to commence in School Year (SY) 2026-2027.

According to Philippines News Agency, DepEd Media Relations Head Dennis Legaspi explained that the new policy is designed to enhance the quality of basic education by tackling persistent systemic inefficiencies. Legaspi highlighted that up to 53 school days were lost in SY 2023-2024 due to various disruptions, which the new calendar seeks to mitigate.

The revised system will divide the mandated 201 school days into three terms: June to September, September to December, and January to March. Legaspi emphasized that the reform aims to make the school year more effective for both students and teachers, ensuring that each school day contributes to meaningful and deep learning.

Each term will begin with a five-day Opening Block dedicated to administrative tasks like securing learners' profiles and conducting baseline assessments. This will be followed by a 60-day uninterrupted Instructional Block focusing on teaching and learning. The term will conclude with a two-week End-of-Term Block for celebrations, extracurricular activities, targeted remediation, and wellness breaks.

The DepEd stated that this new setup will reduce the administrative burden on educators, allowing them to concentrate more on teaching. Legaspi noted that moving from four quarters to three terms will streamline grading cycles and alleviate reporting peaks.

To support the benefits of the new calendar, the DepEd has committed to continuing other reform initiatives, such as the rapid construction of classrooms, expanding school-based feeding and nutrition programs, implementing literacy interventions, enhancing textbook distribution, and improving class suspension measures.