Marilyn Cahatol

Students at Ilaya Barangka Integrated School in Mandaluyong prepare to attend activities on National Students’ Day, November 17, 2022. The National Youth Commission (NYC) led the celebration of National Students’ Day. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

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EDUCATION-STUDENTS

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177425209441620221117-national-students-day-GC-0739.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Students at Ilaya Barangka Integrated School in Mandaluyong prepare to attend activities on National Students’ Day, November 17, 2022. The National Youth Commission (NYC) led the celebration of National Students’ Day. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Students at Ilaya Barangka Integrated School in Mandaluyong prepare to attend activities on National Students’ Day, November 17, 2022. The National Youth Commission (NYC) led the celebration of National Students’ Day. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) will fully implement a three-term school calendar beginning School Year 2026–2027, a major structural reform aimed at improving learning delivery while maintaining the required number of school days.</p><p>This is after Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/22/marcos-approves-adoption-of-3-term-school-calendar-beginning-sy-2026-2027-1910">approved </a>the shift from a four-quarter academic calendar to a three-term school year.</p><p>Undersecretary Carmela Oracion of the DepEd’s Learning Systems Strand said the shift underwent consultations with teachers, school leaders, and learners.</p><p>“Effective na this coming school year. Bunga na rin siguro ng ating pakikipag-usap sa field at sa iba-iba pang grupo, pero lalong-lao na iyong mga tao sa field: Iyong ating punong-guro, ang ating mga teachers at mga mag-aaral,” Oracion said.</p><p>“Talagang kitang-kita kasi iyong magiging benefits ng three-term school calendar na ito sa kanila. So, in that sense, why delay, right? I mean, if we&#x27;re ready to do it, and it will be beneficial for most everyone, there&#x27;s no reason to delay it,” she added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/23/deped-s-three-term-school-year-proposal-draws-scrutiny-pushback-at-house-hearing-1531">DepEd’s ‘three-term school year’ proposal draws scrutiny, pushback at House hearing</a></div><p>Despite the shift in structure, Oracion emphasized that the total number of school days will remain unchanged at over 200 days per year.</p><p>“Hindi mababawasan ang ating school calendar. Kung 201 days, 205 days, ‘yan pa rin. I-re-organize natin iyong school year, so that instead of four quarters, there will just be three terms,” she said.</p><p>“Dahil basic education tayo, unlike how it is applied in the college na tinatawag doong trimester... Sa atin, year-long pa rin ang implementation ng bawat subject. So, iyong English, iyong Science, iyong Math, buong taon pa rin,” she added.</p><div> </div><div><strong>STRUCTURED APPROACH</strong></div><p>The new calendar introduces a structured approach to time management in schools. </p><p>Each term will include a one-week opening block for assessments and administrative preparations, followed by a longer instructional block focused solely on teaching and learning, and a two-week end-of-term block dedicated to examinations, remediation, teacher training, and selected school activities.</p><p>“Ngayon, may 60 days na tayo or so, 60-64 days per term, so that the distribution throughout the school year of the lessons is better, the pacing is also better,” she said.</p><p>“Aside from that, naglagay tayo ng one week na opening block sa simula. Dito gagawin iyong mga initial assessments. Pagkatapos niyan, pasok iyong longest block, ang tinatawag nating instructional block. Iyan ay naka-focus dapat sa teaching and learning,” she added.</p><p>Oracion explained that the redesign aims to address uneven learning periods under the current system, where certain quarters, particularly those affected by typhoons and disruptions, become too short for effective instruction.</p><p>A key component also of the reform is the reorganization of school celebrations and extracurricular activities, which have long been cited as sources of classroom disruption.</p><p>While more than 150 documented school celebrations will continue, these will either be integrated into lessons or scheduled during the end-of-term period to minimize interruptions.</p><p>“Iyong mga celebrations, ilalagay natin doon sa two-week end of term block. Doon sa end of term block, nandoon ang celebrations, nandoon din ang ating remediation. Additional remediation days ‘yan, to the remediation that can happen during the instructional block para mahagip pa natin, masalo pa natin iyong nangangailangan pa ng remediation,” Oracion explained.</p><p>The Department, in an official statement released Monday, said the reform is part of a broader effort to address systemic inefficiencies, including the reported loss of up to 53 school days in School Year 2023–2024.</p><p>It added that the new structure is designed to ensure uninterrupted instruction while easing administrative workload for teachers by streamlining grading cycles.</p><p>“This reform strategically addresses long-standing systemic inefficiencies. By redesigning how time is structured in schools, the reform ensures learning,” DepEd said in a statement.</p><p>The agency also stressed that the three-term calendar is not a standalone solution but part of a wider education reform agenda that includes classroom construction, expanded feeding programs, improved textbook provision, and stronger literacy interventions.</p><p>Oracion echoed this, underscoring that the initiative will complement, not replace, other reforms.</p><p>While the three-term system is set to become the standard moving forward, DepEd said it will continue refining its implementation based on feedback from stakeholders.</p><p>DepEd said preparations are underway to ensure schools are ready for the transition by June 2026, marking what it described as a “decisive reform” to place quality teaching and learning at the center of basic education.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/7/deped-conducts-first-ever-unified-science-high-school-admissions-test-in-ncr-2016">DepEd conducts first-ever Unified Science High School Admissions Test in NCR</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>TEACHERS’ GROUP SLAMS REFORM</strong></div><p>However, the reform drew sharp criticism from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), which opposed the move and warned of added burden on educators.</p><p>In a statement, ACT slammed the administration for what it described as a “rushed” and “superficial” reform, arguing that the shift fails to address fundamental problems in the education sector, including shortages in classrooms, teachers, and learning resources.</p><p>The group said the policy risks placing additional strain on teachers, who would need to recalibrate curricula, redesign assessments, and adjust grading systems without sufficient support.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/9/deped-may-review-classroom-observation-policy-further-after-teacher-s-death-1454">DepEd may review classroom observation policy further after teacher’s death</a></div><p>“Kaming mga guro at bata talaga ang kawawa sa Pabago-bagong Pilipinas lalo kung panakip-butas, bara-bara, at minadali ang mga pagbabago sa sistema. Sa halip na pagaanin ang trabaho ng mga guro, tayo na naman ang magkukumahog para makaangkop sa sistemang sila-sila lang din ang nagpasya,” said Ruby Bernardo, ACT chairperson.</p><p>ACT also criticized what it called misplaced government priorities, saying that instead of introducing structural changes, authorities should focus on addressing economic hardships faced by teachers, including low wages and rising living costs.</p><p>The group reiterated its call for increased education funding, higher salaries for education workers, including a proposed P50,000 entry-level salary for teachers, and higher allowances, stressing that long-standing systemic issues remain unresolved despite the planned calendar shift.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/42aAOllRjt0?si=sCiZNdJKshoPjKUO" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Department of Education (DepEd) will fully implement a three-term school calendar beginning School Year 2026–2027, a major structural reform aimed at improving learning delivery while maintaining the required number of school days.</p>

The Department of Education (DepEd) will fully implement a three-term school calendar beginning School Year 2026–2027, a major structural reform aimed at improving learning delivery while maintaining the required number of school days.

New 3-term school year breaks calendar into three blocks to cut disruptions

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New 3-term school year breaks calendar into three blocks to cut disruptions

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 23, 2026 03:57 PM PHT

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DepEd

School Calendar

Sonny Angara

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