The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition has called on the Department of Education to suspend the new three-term school calendar before classes open on June 8. TDC chairman Benjo Basas said it is not too late to defer the setup and conduct a pilot first.
In a radio interview, Basas noted that teachers and school heads still have unanswered questions about the academic changes and the revised senior high school curriculum. He urged a pilot implementation instead of an abrupt rollout across the system.
The proposed calendar divides the year into three terms: June to September, September to December, and January to March. Basas highlighted that schools are simultaneously handling other reforms, including updates to grading systems and honors recognition, along with shortages in teaching materials for subjects such as MAPEH.
Separately, the Second Congressional Commission on Education has raised concerns about delays in hiring tutors for the ARAL summer program, which runs from May 6 to June 2. The government is also preparing for Brigada Eskwela through the Department of Labor and Employment’s TUPAD initiative.