Economic council OKs DepEd trimester plan starting SY 2026–2027

The Economy and Development (ED) Council, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has approved the Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposed three-term school calendar starting in school year 2026–2027.

In a statement, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the approval was made during the council’s eighth meeting on Thursday, March 19.

The council described the move as “a critical step toward improving the country’s education outcomes."

The DepEd earlier announced it was studying the implementation of a trimester system for SY 2026–2027.

Under the proposal, the 201 school days will be divided into three terms, each consisting of continuous and structured lessons and student tasks.

The first term will run from June to September, followed by the second term from September to December, and the third term from January to March.

Each term will have 54 to 61 days of instruction, including brief interruptions for non-academic activities and enrichment programs.

The DEPDev said the trimester system—endorsed by the Social Development Committee-Cabinet Level (SDC-CL)—aims to maximize learning time, which is often disrupted by bad weather, celebrations, and other observances.

The agency added that the proposed calendar aligns with the recommendations of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), which called for a more concrete plan to ensure adequate learning time despite frequent climate-related disruptions.

By shifting from a four-grading-period system to a three-term structure, students are expected to benefit from longer, uninterrupted instructional blocks that can help stabilize learning pace and improve recovery each term, the DEPDev said.

The new calendar will also allow teachers to pursue professional development opportunities and provide dedicated periods for catch-up initiatives.

“Our commitment to developing a globally competitive workforce begins with providing evidence-based solutions to bridge educational gaps in our country. We commend DepEd for continuously pursuing initiatives that support critical development priorities,” said DEPDev Secretary and ED Council Vice-Chair Arsenio Balisacan.—MCG, GMA Integrated News