The Economy and Development Council has approved a trimester school calendar to improve learning outcomes. The new system divides the 201-day school year into three terms, according to the Department of Economy, Planning and Development. However, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers opposes it for lacking teacher input.
In Manila, the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) announced that the Economy and Development (ED) Council, chaired by President Marcos, endorsed shifting from a four-quarter to a trimester school system during its meeting yesterday. The first term runs from June to September, the second from September to December, and the third from January to March. The policy seeks longer uninterrupted instructional blocks to stabilize learning amid climate disruptions and holidays, aligning with recommendations from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2). It also allows time for teacher professional development and catch-up initiatives. DEPDev Secretary and EDC vice chairman Arsenio Balisacan stated, 'Our commitment to developing a globally competitive workforce begins with providing evidence-based solutions to bridge educational gaps in our country. We commend DepEd for continuously pursuing initiatives that support critical development priorities.' The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) opposed the change, calling it a 'rushed, top-down reform' that sidelines teachers. ACT chairperson Ruby Bernardo questioned, 'They said consultation was needed, but in the end, it was still implemented in a hurry. Where is the voice of the average teacher in this decision?' She noted it fails to address core issues like classroom shortages, low wages, and heavy workloads, and urged pausing implementation for genuine consultations. Separately, President Marcos directed agencies to submit regular progress reports on the 'school shopping cart,' including classrooms, teachers, and books under the 2026 budget. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto called these 'some sort of grading period' to troubleshoot issues quickly. Some P1.345 trillion is allocated for education, representing 4.36 percent of GDP.