DepEd: SY 2026-2027 reforms push 'better learning, stronger teacher support' 

The Department of Education (DepEd) says its educational reforms aim to help schools achieve “better learning and stronger support for teachers” in school year 2026–2027.

“Ginawa natin ang mga repormang ito upang gawing mas malinaw ang sistema, mas epektibo ang pagtuturo, at mas nakatuon sa pangangailangan ng mga mag-aaral,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said in a press release on Sunday.

(We implemented these reforms to streamline the system, enhance teaching effectiveness, and ensure a stronger focus on the needs of the learners.)

DepEd estimates that more than 26 million learners and nearly 900,000 teachers nationwide will benefit from their “comprehensive package of reforms.”

On May 26, DepEd wrapped up its nationwide reforms orientation, which covered at least seven key learning reforms.

According to DepEd, the orientation series reflects President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.’s directive to “strengthen basic education reforms through clearer implementation support for teachers, school leaders, and learners.”

Angara reported that he has issued guidelines for the implementation of the following reforms:

• Three-Term School Calendar
• Learning Continuity in Emergencies
• Revised Lesson Planning and Learning Design
• Updated Assessment and Grading Policy
• Nationwide rollout of the Strengthened Senior High School Curriculum

Three-term school calendar

The three-term school calendar reform, as clarified earlier, will only reorganize the academic year into three terms, while retaining the same subjects, curriculum standards, and required number of school days.

DepEd said this adjustment is intended for “better pacing of lessons, and dedicated time for consolidation, remediation, and enrichment activities.”

Learning Continuity in Emergencies policy

Under DepEd Order No. 14 series of 2026, school heads are authorized to coordinate with the Schools Division Superintendent and local government units to implement granular suspension of classes based on the actual situation of the community, especially in times of hazards.

DepEd introduced a levels-based framework to serve as a guide for schools in choosing appropriate learning responses based on the safety and condition of both learners and teachers.

This policy has four levels: Hayo (Continue), Hinay (Ease-in), Hinga (Check-in), and Hinti (Stop).

Lesson plan, grading system

For teachers, DepEd has simplified lesson planning requirements through the ILAW Framework—Intentions, Learning Experience, Assessing Learning, and Ways Forward.

According to DepEd, the framework is designed to “streamline documentation, ban unnecessary templates beyond prescribed standards, and allow the responsible use of artificial intelligence.”

Revisions will also be implemented on the assessment and grading guidelines of teachers.

The updated policy of DepEd introduces a “phased descriptive grading in the early grades, and promotes the use of assessment results to guide remediation and enrichment interventions.”

Meanwhile, in senior high school, DepEd claims that changes were applied to “strengthen” its curriculum.

“[It] expands elective options, and better prepares graduates for higher education, employment, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning,” according to DepEd.

With the resumption of classes set on Monday, June 8, DepEd says teachers are expected to receive their P10,000 teaching allowance to help them defray out-of-pocket expenses for teaching supplies and learning materials. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/BM, GMA News