DepEd proposes trimester system for SY 2026-2027

The Department of Education is proposing a trimester system as part of a broader effort to improve curriculum implementation and reduce disruptions in the academic calendar.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the proposed reform seeks to provide longer and more flexible instructional periods, lessen teachers’ administrative burden and improve lesson pacing.

"We are pushing for this to achieve longer, continuous learning periods, better lesson pacing, and a lower administrative burden for our teachers. In this way, we are protecting the quality of education,” Angara said, citing findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education.

Under the proposal, the school year will be divided into three academic terms with longer instructional and enrichment blocks. The structure aims to allow teachers to sustain lesson delivery without frequent interruptions caused by mandated celebrations and administrative requirements.

For school year 2026-2027, the proposed calendar will distribute 201 school days across three terms. Classes will open in early June. The first trimester will run from June to September, the second from September to December, and the third from January to late March.

Each term will include an instructional block of 54 to 61 days dedicated to classroom teaching with minimal disruption, and an enrichment block allotted for remediation, grade computation, preparation and checking of school forms, wellness breaks and related activities. An opening block will be implemented during the first term for start-of-school-year activities.

The reform also introduces “low-disruption alternatives,” where mandated celebrations and observances are integrated into classroom instruction instead of requiring separate programs that interrupt lessons.

DepEd data show that the current calendar has led to compressed instructional time due to numerous observances, reporting requirements and administrative tasks. These interruptions, the agency said, break lesson continuity and increase teachers’ workload, often forcing them to prioritize compliance over sustained instruction.

Under the proposed approach, national and cultural observances may be incorporated into reading materials, writing exercises, science discussions and project-based learning, allowing students to engage with civic themes while continuing regular lessons.

Schools may also conduct shorter in-class reflection activities, thematic discussions or curriculum-linked projects instead of suspending classes for whole-day events.