Philippines DepEd: Trimester Proposal Under Review

The Department of Education in the Philippines clarified on Tuesday that its proposal to shift public schools to a trimester system starting in the 2026-2027 school year remains under review, with no final decision made amid concerns from teachers, lawmakers, and other stakeholders.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara first announced the proposal on February 13, aiming to replace the current four-grading-period structure with three terms to improve lesson pacing, reduce administrative burdens on teachers, and ensure longer periods of uninterrupted learning. The plan, which would apply to all public schools nationwide while allowing private institutions to maintain their own schedules, draws from recommendations by the Second Congressional Commission on Education. Under the proposed calendar, classes would begin in early June, with the first trimester running from June to September, the second from September to December, and the third from January to late March. This would distribute 201 school days across the terms, including scheduled breaks for teacher planning, assessments, and professional development.

DepEd stated that the initiative seeks to support broader reforms by...