Manila Bulletin
Philippines
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DepEd 3-term school calendar gains support in the Philippines: Why teachers, parents back the shift
Philippines
National
DepEd 3-term school calendar gains support in the Philippines: Why teachers, parents back the shift
DepEd 3-term school calendar gains support in the Philippines: Why teachers, parents back the shift
Published Mar 25, 2026 06:23 pm
If early support is any indication, the Department of Education’s school calendar reform may mark a significant shift in how education is structured—and experienced—across the Philippines. (DepEd / MB Visual Content Group)
A major reform in the country’s basic education system is gaining ground, as teachers and parents welcome the Department of Education’s (DepEd) move to adopt a three-term school calendar starting in School Year (SY) 2026–2027.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, March 25, DepEd said several parents, teachers, and school leaders have “expressed support” for the shift to a three-term school calendar, noting that the reform could “help improve” the flow of instruction and give teachers more time to focus on teaching.
Approved by Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. following nationwide consultations, DepEd’s new academic structure breaks the traditional school year into three terms—an overhaul that educators say could help address long-standing issues in pacing, workload, and learning continuity.
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A calendar designed for better learning flow
At the heart of the reform is a simple but strategic goal: to improve how time is used in schools.
By redistributing instructional periods, assessments, and academic breaks across three terms, DepEd aims to create a more balanced and predictable rhythm for both teaching and learning.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the redesigned calendar is meant to streamline teachers’ responsibilities—particularly by clearly separating instructional time from administrative duties such as grading and report preparation.
This structure, he noted, allows educators to focus more on delivering lessons effectively rather than juggling multiple tasks at once.
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Teachers see relief from administrative burden
For many teachers, DepEd noted that the reform is more than just a scheduling tweak—it is a potential solution to burnout.
Reden Juego, a teacher from Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School, highlighted how the three-term system could reduce the overlap between teaching and administrative work.
“On the part of the teachers, administrative tasks such as checking summative test papers, computing grades, distributing report cards, and similar duties will be reduced,” Juego said, as told to DepEd.
Instead of compressing tasks like checking exams, computing grades, and distributing report cards into already packed schedules, these responsibilities can now be distributed more evenly across the school year.
“This entails more time for teachers to focus on the actual planning and execution of lessons,” he added.
The result: more time for lesson planning, classroom engagement, and student support.
School leaders expect a stronger focus on instruction
DepEd said school administrators are also optimistic that the reform will sharpen the focus on actual teaching time.
Edwin Fuego, school head of Alveola Integrated School Annex in Butuan City, said a more structured academic calendar allows educators to ensure that learning competencies are not only covered—but mastered.
“With a more structured distribution of the school year, educators can devote sufficient time to ensure that learning competencies are thoroughly taught and mastered,” Fuego said, as told to DepEd.
This shift could be particularly critical as schools continue to address learning gaps that widened in recent years.
Parents welcome better pacing and flexibility
Beyond classrooms, parents are also seeing practical benefits.
Miriam Illescas, whose child studies at Malolos Marine Fishery School and Laboratory in Bulacan, said the new calendar could reduce disruptions caused by frequent school activities or unexpected interruptions.
“The three-term school calendar by DepEd offers a structured yet flexible framework for learning,” she said. “With proper planning, it can improve student achievement, minimize fatigue, and provide timely support for struggling learners.”
For families, DepEd noted that this could mean fewer abrupt schedule changes and a clearer sense of academic progression throughout the year.
Part of a broader education reform push
The three-term calendar is not a standalone policy.
According to DepEd, it forms part of a wider strategy to improve learning outcomes nationwide.
This includes ongoing efforts in classroom construction to ease congestion, school-based feeding programs to support student health, literacy interventions to address foundational gaps, and faster delivery of textbooks and learning materials.
DepEd noted that, together, these initiatives signal a systemic approach to strengthening Philippine education—not just through infrastructure, but also through smarter academic design.
What comes next
As implementation approaches, DepEd said it will continue engaging stakeholders—from teachers to parents—to fine-tune the rollout and address emerging concerns.
DepEd also assured that monitoring mechanisms will be put in place to evaluate whether the three-term system delivers on its promise: better learning outcomes, reduced teacher workload, and a more efficient school year.
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