A MOTHER is fetching her daughter from the Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School along Tramo Street in Pasay City, which comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the three-term academic calendar for public schools.
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The Department of Education (DepEd) has officially released the school calendar for School Year (SY) 2026–2027, shifting to a three-term academic structure with classes set to open on 8 June 2026 and conclude on 8 April 2026 for public schools nationwide.
Issued through DepEd Order No. 009,, the calendar comprises 201 class days divided into three terms — each with an opening period, a main instructional block, and end-of-term activities including assessments — a departure from the traditional four-quarter format.
Under the schedule, the first term begins with initial school activities from 8 June to 11 June before regular classes formally start, running into early September.
The second term spans mid-September to early December, with planned end-of-term activities before the Christmas break.
Classes return in January for the third term, which extends until late March, followed by final assessments and closing programs in early April 2027.
DepEd officials say the reform seeks to provide longer uninterrupted instructional periods, dedicated time for learning recovery programs like the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) initiative, and more structured teacher planning and assessment windows.
The department has also rolled out orientations for school leaders and educators on the operational adjustments required under the three-term system, including assessment, grading, lesson planning, and flexible learning provisions.
DepEd clarified that while public schools are mandated to adopt the new calendar beginning SY 2026–2027, private schools may choose to follow the structure if they meet the required number of school days under existing laws.
Despite official backing, some education groups have voiced reservations about readiness and effectiveness.
The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines cautioned that adopting a three-term calendar must be accompanied by broader system support to ensure quality learning, rather than merely adjusting schedules.
DepEd earlier moved to allay concerns that the reform would add to teachers’ workload, stressing that the new structure is designed to streamline grading and planning cycles rather than increase work pressure.
