DepEd three-term calendar reform gains support from teachers, parents

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MAKATI CITY, 25 March 2026 — Several parents, teachers, and school leaders have expressed support for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) shift to a three-term school calendar, saying the reform could help improve the flow of instruction and give teachers more time to focus on teaching.

The new calendar for School Year 2026–2027, approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. after consultations with education stakeholders, reorganizes the school year into three terms to better manage teaching time, assessments, and school activities.

Consultations were conducted at national, regional, and school levels, including engagements with teachers and school leaders.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the change aims to help teachers manage their workload through clearer scheduling of grading, reporting, and other administrative tasks.

School leaders like Edwin Fuego, school head of Alveola Integrated School Annex in Butuan City, said the three-term structure could help schools focus more on time spent on actual instruction.

“With a more structured distribution of the school year, educators can devote sufficient time to ensure that learning competencies are thoroughly taught and mastered,” Fuego shared.

Teachers themselves said the change could help reduce the pressure from administrative work during the school year.

Teacher Reden Juego of Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School said the three-term calendar separates instructional time from tasks such as checking exams and preparing report cards.

“On the part of the teachers, administrative tasks such as checking the summative test papers, computing for grades, distribution of report cards, and the like will be reduced. This entails time for teachers to focus on actual planning and execution of lessons,” he said.

Among parents, the reform is seen as a way to bring better pacing to the school year.

Miriam Illescas, a parent from Malolos Marine Fishery School and Laboratory in Bulacan, views a more structured calendar could help minimize class disruptions caused by frequent school activities or unforeseen events.

“The three-term school calendar by DepEd offers a structured yet flexible framework for learning. With proper planning, it can improve student achievement, minimize fatigue, and provide timely support for learners who are struggling,” she said.

Angara noted that the calendar shift is part of broader efforts to improve learning outcomes nationwide, alongside programs on classroom construction, school feeding, literacy interventions, and the delivery of textbooks to learners.

DepEd said it will continue to engage stakeholders and monitor implementation to ensure that the reform supports both learners and teachers.