Teachers' group bucks trimester school calendar

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has opposed the government’s newly-approved shift to a three-term school calendar, calling it a “rushed” reform that purportedly fails to address deeper problems in the education sector.

In a statement, the group criticized the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for pushing the policy despite earlier calls for broader consultation with educators.

“Sinabi na kailangan ng konsultasyon, pero sa dulo, ipinatupad pa rin nang minamadali (They said consultation was needed, but in the end, it was still implemented hastily),” said ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo.

“Nasaan ang boses ng karaniwang guro sa desisyong ito?” she asked.

(Where is the voice of the ordinary teacher in this decision?)

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Department of Education (DepEd) and will update this story once officials respond.

According to ACT, the policy reflects a pattern of top-down decision-making that sidelines teachers in major education reforms.

The group argued that changing the academic calendar will not resolve systemic issues in education.

“Hindi kalendaryo ang ugat ng krisis sa edukasyon. Kahit anong ayos ng school calendar, kung kulang ang silid-aralan, guro, at pasilidad, at kung gutom ang mga estudyante, mananatiling atrasado ang kalidad ng edukasyon,” Bernardo said.

(The calendar is not the root of the education crisis. No matter how the school calendar is arranged, if there is a lack of classrooms, teachers, and facilities, and if students are hungry, the quality of education will remain poor.)

ACT cited persistent problems such as classroom shortages, low wages, heavy workloads, and lack of learning materials.

Questions on basis of reform

The group also questioned the basis for the policy, saying there is no clear public evidence supporting the shift.

“Kung may sapat na batayan ang ganitong malaking pagbabago, dapat malinaw itong inilalatag at sinusuri kasama ang mga guro,” Bernardo said.

(If there is sufficient basis for such a major change, it should be clearly presented and evaluated together with teachers.)

ACT warned that teachers may once again bear the burden of adjusting workloads and implementing changes without adequate support.

“Hindi puwedeng ipasa na naman sa ibaba ang responsibilidad na pagtagpi-tagpiin ang isang polisiyang kulang sa paghahanda.”

(The responsibility should not again be passed down to those on the ground to patch together a policy that lacks preparation.)

Call to halt implementation

The group urged the DepEd to suspend the rollout of the trimester system and instead conduct consultations with teachers and other stakeholders.

“Ang ganitong mga polisiya ay nakatuon sa porma, hindi sa laman,” Bernardo said.

(These kinds of policies focus on form, not substance.)

“Kung gusto talagang ayusin ang edukasyon, dapat magsimula ito sa pakikinig mula sa mga guro…,” she added.

(If we truly want to fix education, it should begin with listening to teachers.)

The criticism comes after the Economy and Development Council approved the implementation of a three-term school calendar starting School Year 2026–2027.

The policy, proposed by the Department of Education, aims to provide longer and more uninterrupted learning periods and reduce disruptions caused by weather and other interruptions.

It also aligns with recommendations from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), which has pushed for ensuring sufficient learning time amid the country’s learning crisis.

Education officials earlier said the new structure is expected to improve learning continuity while giving teachers dedicated time for training and catch-up programs.—MCG, GMA Integrated News