Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
'Not lab rats': Group raises concerns over DepEd's trimester proposal amid education crisis
Philippines
National
'Not lab rats': Group raises concerns over DepEd's trimester proposal amid education crisis
'Not lab rats': Group raises concerns over DepEd's trimester proposal amid education crisis
ACT Philippines warns of consequences of implementing 'hit-or-miss' education reforms for teachers, students
Published Feb 15, 2026 10:28 am
At A Glance
- ACT Philippines warns that the shift could treat teachers and students like "lab rats" and may worsen learning gaps due to insufficient evidence and consultation
- Teachers may face compressed workloads, and the grading and assessment system may be disrupted under the proposed trimester system
- ACT urges DepEd to prioritize addressing classroom shortages, teacher salaries, learning resources, and conduct genuine consultations before implementing structural changes
ACT Philippines warned that DepEd’s proposed trimester system could worsen learning gaps and overburden teachers, and called for evidence-based reforms and meaningful consultations before implementing major changes in the Philippine education system. (Manila Bulletin file)
The Department of Education (DepEd) is facing criticism after unveiling its proposed trimester system, with a group warning that both educators and students could be treated like “lab rats” amid what critics call hit-or-miss education reforms.
In a statement issued on February 14, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines flagged DepEd’s proposal, noting that the shift may worsen learning gaps, while learners risk being subjected to experimental scheduling without clear evidence of improved outcomes.
“Kung may pag-aaral na basehan ang panukalang ito, dapat malinaw itong inilalahad at sinusuri kasama ang mga guro (If this proposal is based on a study, it should be clearly presented and examined together with teachers),” ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo said.
“Hindi maaaring magpatupad ng malalaking pagbabago sa sistema ng paaralan nang walang makabuluhang konsultasyon sa mga direktang maaapektuhan (Major changes in the school system cannot be implemented without meaningful consultation with those who will be directly affected),” she added.
Serious concerns
DepEd, on February 13, officially announced its proposal to shift to a trimester system to improve curriculum implementation, reduce teacher workload, and protect instructional time beginning School Year (SY) 2026–2027.
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However, ACT raised serious concerns over DepEd’s proposed shift from a four-quarter academic system to a trimester scheme, citing a lack of clear evidence and insufficient consultation with teachers and education workers.
ACT emphasized that the proposed trimester system does not address the country’s persistent education crisis, which includes overcrowded classrooms, low teacher salaries, excessive administrative work, inadequate and error-prone textbooks, and hunger among students.
“Kung seryoso ang gobyerno na tugunan ang learning crisis, dapat unahin ang pagpuno sa mga kakulangang ito (If the government is serious about addressing the learning crisis, it must prioritize filling these gaps),” Bernardo said.
“Ang mga agenda na hindi lapat sa lupa ay lalo lamang magpapahirap sa mga guro at estudyante (Agendas that are not grounded in reality will only make things harder for teachers and students),” she added.
ACT questioned the basis and research behind DepEd’s proposal, noting that the public disclosure by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara did not provide clear studies or consultation results with rank-and-file teachers, recognized unions, and other education stakeholders.
The group warned that past curricular and structural changes were often implemented without adequate preparation or support, turning classrooms into sites of trial-and-error reforms.
Operational concerns
ACT also highlighted several practical issues with the proposed trimester system.
Among the foremost concerns is workload compression. ACT noted that teachers already struggle to meet requirements under the four-quarter system, making it unclear how responsibilities could realistically be condensed into three semesters without increasing overwork.
Another concern is assessment and grading. The group pointed out that the current grading system, long structured around four quarters with diverse assessments, may face significant disruption.
“Paano iaangkop ang grading system na matagal nang nakahati sa apat, na may iba’t ibang anyo ng assessment at criteria? (How will the grading system, long divided into four parts with different forms of assessment and criteria, be adapted?),” Bernardo asked.
“Ang ganitong pagbabago ay hindi simpleng teknikal na usapin at may malalim na epekto sa aktwal na pagtuturo at pagkatuto (Such a change is not a mere technical matter—it has profound implications for actual teaching and learning),” she added.
School calendar is 'not the problem'
While ACT clarified that it is not opposed to reforms, the group stressed that meaningful changes must be evidence-based, well-funded, and participatory.
ACT called on DepEd to release the studies supporting the trimester proposal, conduct genuine consultations with teachers and education workers, and prioritize long-standing demands, including livable wages, regular plantilla items, adequate classrooms, and sufficient learning resources.
“Hindi kalendaryo ang ugat ng krisis sa edukasyon (The school calendar is not the root of the education crisis),” Bernardo said, stressing that as long as the material conditions of teaching and learning are not addressed, any schedule change will remain insufficient and problematic.