The Department of Education (DepEd) announced Monday that the upcoming three-term school calendar will help minimize class disruptions and foster deeper learning in public schools nationwide.
The Cabinet-approved shift will take effect in School Year (SY) 2026-2027.
DepEd Media Relations Head Dennis Legaspi explained that the reform is designed to improve the quality of basic education.
“This reform strategically addresses long-standing systemic inefficiencies, such as the documented loss of up to 53 school days in SY 2023-2024,” he said.
Legaspi added that the new setup is intended to strengthen learning outcomes.
“Ultimately, this reform is about making the school year work better for both learners and teachers, so that every day in school leads to deliberate and deep learning,” he noted.
Under the revised calendar, the mandated 201 school days will be divided into three terms: June–September, September–December, and January–March.
Each term will begin with a five-day Opening Block for learner profiling, baseline assessments, and administrative tasks.
This will be followed by a 60-day Instructional Block dedicated to uninterrupted teaching and learning, and capped by a two-week End-of-Term Block for celebrations, enrichment, remediation, in-service training, and wellness breaks.
DepEd said the system will ease administrative loads, allowing teachers to focus more on instruction.
“The shift from four quarters to three terms significantly streamlines grading cycles and reduces reporting peaks,” Legaspi explained.
To complement the calendar reform, DepEd assured continued implementation of other programs, including faster classroom construction, expanded feeding and nutrition initiatives, literacy interventions, improved textbook distribution, and enhanced protocols for class suspensions.