DepEd stands by three-term school calendar amid criticism

The Department of Education (DepEd) defended Tuesday its planned shift to a three-term school calendar starting School Year 2026–2027, noting that the reform aims to ensure more continuous learning and reduce classroom disruptions.

The DepEd issued the clarification following criticism from education groups, emphasizing that the policy is based on consultations and data showing persistent inefficiencies in the current school calendar.

The DepEd cited findings that up to 53 out of 180 school days in School Year 2023–2024 were lost due to weather disturbances and non-instructional activities, resulting to compressed lessons and reduced learning time.

To address this, the new calendar will divide the school year into structured blocks, including an opening period for assessments and preparation, longer uninterrupted instructional phases, and dedicated end-of-term periods for remediation, enrichment, and teacher development.

DepEd said the redesigned schedule is intended to provide a more predictable flow of instruction while also creating space for administrative tasks and wellness activities, helping reduce overlapping responsibilities that contribute to teacher burnout.

The agency added that the policy was developed through consultations involving teachers, school leaders, learners, parents, and stakeholders from both public and private education sectors, with feedback gathered through a nationwide orientation cascade.

However, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines criticized the reform, calling it a “superficial” measure that fails to address systemic problems such as shortages in classrooms, teachers, and learning resources.

The group warned that the shift could place additional burdens on educators, who may need to recalibrate curricula, adjust assessment systems, and modify teaching materials without sufficient preparation or support.

ACT also argued that the policy diverts attention from more urgent concerns, including low salaries, rising cost of living, and the need for increased education funding and benefits for teachers.

DepEd, for its part, maintained that the three-term calendar is part of a broader reform agenda that includes classroom construction, expanded school feeding programs, strengthened literacy interventions, and improved access to learning resources.

As the transition approaches, the department said it will continue to gather feedback, monitor implementation, and consider operational adjustments to ensure a smooth rollout. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News