Trimester school system backed

THE PALACE on Monday backed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposal to implement a trimester school system but noted the proposal is still under review and will go through thorough consultations with stakeholders.

“This is just a proposal, and they are presenting the possible advantages of having a trimester that is being promoted by the DepEd,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing in Filipino.

“It is still at the proposal stage, so it is better to do more studies sooner if it should be implemented.”

The DepEd earlier proposed replacing the current quarterly system with a trimester academic calendar to better distribute academic and non-academic activities and help reduce teachers’ workload.

Under the proposed School Year 2026-2027 calendar, the 201 school days would be organized into three terms.

Each term would feature longer teaching periods along with scheduled breaks intended for lesson planning, student assessment and other professional responsibilities.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education has noted that Filipino student proficiency is in critical decline.

Around 30.52% of Grade 3 learners were assessed as barely sufficient in key subjects, with proficiency rates falling to nearly zero by senior high school. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana