DepEd's trimester system: Bam Aquino says no law needed

Senator Bam Aquino on Tuesday said that the Department of Education (DepEd) does not need a law, only an administrative order, to implement its plan to have public schools shift to a trimester system. 

“Gusto ko lang linawin, hindi nila kailangan ng batas para baguhin ang ating school year. Pwede nilang gawin ‘yan gawa ng administrative order. Pero ang panawagan natin bago ito ipatupad, ay marinig muna natin ang iba’t ibang pananaw ng mga guro, ng mga magulang, ng mga estudyante para makita natin ang mas maayos na implementasyon,” Aquino said in an Unang Balita interview. 

(I just want to clarify that DepEd doesn't need a law to change our school year. They can do that through an administrative order. But what we are appealing is that we conduct a hearing first to hear the views of teachers, parents, and students so that we can better implement it.) 

Aquino added that he wants to make use of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, which he chairs, as an avenue to conduct such consultations.

“Maganda naman ang hangarin nila na mapahaba ‘yung araw ng pag-aaral ng mga bata, pero sabi rin nga ng mga teachers groups, ‘wag pong madaliin. Kailangan ng malawakang konsultasyon at magkaron ng iba’t ibang pananaw ng iba’t ibang grupo dito sa hearing namin.” 

(DepEd’s plan to extend the school days for the children is good, but the teachers' groups have also appealed for it not to be rushed. We need extensive consultations and to get perspectives from different groups here in our hearing.)

The senator said he intends to kick off a committee hearing on the matter by next month. 

He also explained that shifting to a trimester school calendar would also benefit teachers, as it would lighten their workload. It is also seen to help address the learning gaps brought about by the numerous class suspensions. 

“Palagay ko ang concern ay tungkol sa implementasyon, hindi naman tungkol sa hangarin,” Aquino said. 

(I think the concern is about the implementation, not the intent.) 

“Ang kinakatakutan po nila, madaliang implementasyon na magdudulot ng kaguluhan. So kapag po ito ay malinaw sa bawat grupo kung paano ito isasagawa at ang mga teachers group din natin mawala ang pangamba na hindi sila mamadaliin at handa rin sila kapag ginawa ang repormang ito,” he added. 

(What they fear is the chaos that may result from a hasty implementation. So once it is clear for groups how we will carry this out, and for teachers to feel that they are not being rushed and that they are ready for this reform.)

Under DepEd’s trimester plan, the 201 school days shall be divided into three terms, each of which shall include continuous and curated lessons and tasks for students.

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 agency is eyeing implementing the plan beginning School Year 2026-2027. —Giselle Ombay/ VAL, GMA Integrated News