Palace: Proposed trimester system requires further studies, public consultations

Malacañang on Monday said it would be better if public consultations would be made on the plan to implement a trimester system for the incoming school year 2026-2027.

''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,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said at a briefing.

(It would be better if this will be discussed by all stakeholders and interested parties in order to achieve a better program for the youth.) 

Castro also said conducting further studies would be better for this proposal. 

''Mas mainam na mas maagarang pang pag-aaral ang gawin kung dapat itong i-implement,'' Castro said. 

(It would be better if more studies will be conducted to determine if this will be implemented.) 

The Department of Education said this plan is part of a “holistic approach” to balance time management for students that allows for a more flexible approach to quality teaching.

The trimester system shall divide 201 school days into three terms, each of which shall include continuous and curated lessons and tasks for students, according to the DepEd. 

The first term shall be held from June to September, followed by the second term from September to December, and the final term from January to March—with each term having 54 to 61 days of instruction with minor interruptions for non-academic activities and enrichment blocks.

The DepEd said that it would release policy guidelines regarding the trimester calendar in the coming days, following consultations with the necessary stakeholders. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News