Senator Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV on Sunday, February 15 called for a comprehensive discussion on the Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposed transition to a trimester system.

This after DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara announced plans to pursue the proposal which is aimed at allowing longer and more flexible instructional periods, reducing teacher workload and promoting higher-quality instruction by improving organization of academic year.

But Aquino, who heads the Senate Committee on Basic Education, urged the agency to implement dialogues to check the feasibility of the proposal.

“Before the DepEd implements the trimester system, it is important that it undergo extensive consultation,” Aquino said in a statement.

“We will ensure that there is a Senate Hearing on this reform, to review and discuss it,” he further said.

Aquino said the panel supports proposals and reforms that would address the learning gap and help teachers, who are currently overloaded with non-teaching tasks.

“While we recognize the need for extensive reform, let us ensure that it is not done hastily and that it goes through proper consultation,” he said.

Earlier, Angara said the proposed trimestral system would help create longer, uninterrupted periods of learning, better pacing of lessons and lower administrative burden for teachers, citing the findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education or EDCOM 2.

“In this way, we are safeguarding the quality of education,” Angara said.