Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday, March 23, said it supports the endorsement of the three-term school calendar for the 2026–2027 school year.
DepEd said the shift addresses long-standing systemic inefficiencies in basic education, noting that the previous four-term calendar cost students up to 53 school days during the 2023–2024 academic year.
“A decisive reform that places quality teaching and learning at the center of basic education in the country,” it said in a statement.
It also noted the reform will bring significant changes, including streamlining grading cycles, reducing reporting peaks, easing administrative burdens, and allowing teaching personnel to focus on essential tasks.
The new calendar will include a five-day opening block at the start of the academic year, during which students will be profiled and assessed, and other administrative processes will take place.
A 60-day instructional block of uninterrupted teaching and learning is expected, with activities and celebrations scheduled during the two-week end-of-term block.
The Economy and Development Council last Friday, March 20, announced its approval of the reform, with President Bongbong Marcos chairing the deliberation.
