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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Shift to trimester system in public schools needs to be studied—Palace

Shift to trimester system in public schools needs to be studied—Palace

Published Feb 16, 2026 03:12 pm
Based on the studies commissioned by EDCOM 2, Grade 2 students showed major learning gains following the curriculum reforms implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd). Manila Bulletin / file
Based on the studies commissioned by EDCOM 2, Grade 2 students showed major learning gains following the curriculum reforms implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd). Manila Bulletin / file
Malacañang said the proposal of the Department of Education (DepEd) to shift to a trimester system must undergo a thorough study first.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said it would be better for the proposal to be studied first before the Palace could make any statement about it.
"Ito ay proposal pa lamang po at inilalahad nila ang maaaring advantage ng pagkakaroon ng trimester ng DepEd, na isinusulong ng DepEd (This is still just a proposal, and they are only presenting the possible advantages of having a trimester system in the Department of Education (DepEd), which DepEd is pushing for)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Monday, Feb. 16.
"Nandoon pa lang po sa stage ng pagpo-propose. So, mas mainam na mas maagarang pang pag-aaral ang gawin kung dapat itong i-implement (It is still at the proposal stage. Therefore, it would be better to conduct a more thorough study first on whether it should be implemented)," she added when asked for the Palace's position on the proposal.
The Palace official also believes that significant consultations should be conducted amid the proposal.
"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 (It is really better that all of these matters are discussed by the stakeholders and all interested parties, so that the best possible program for our youth can be achieved)," Castro said.
The Education department on Friday, Feb. 13, announced its proposal to shift to a trimester system under a holistic school calendar reform for the next school year.
The move aims to improve curriculum implementation, reduce teacher workload, and protect instructional time.
READ MORE: DepEd eyes trimester system for SY 2026–2027: What will change?

Related Tags

DepEd school calendar reform Philippines Claire Castro
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