MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) said that it would consider suggestions from legislators, teachers and stakeholders on its proposal to shift to a trimestral system by the school year 2026-2027.
The shift, according to DepEd, would ensure strategic curriculum implementation through the appropriate distribution of learning blocks covering academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities..
But several groups have criticized the move, saying that proposal fails to address the most urgent shortages that continue to drive the education crisis, such as lack of classrooms, low and non-livable wages for teachers, excessive clerical and non-teaching work, insufficient and error-ridden textbooks, and the reality that many students come to school hungry.
“Kung seryoso ang gobyerno na tugunan ang learning crisis, dapat unahin ang pagpuno sa mga kakulangang ito, ang mga agenda na hindi lapat sa lupa ay lalo lamang magpapahirap sa mga guro at estudyante, (If the government is serious in resolving the learning crisis, they should focus first on filling these gaps. This unrealistic agenda would only burden teachers and students)," Alliance of Concerned Teachers Chairman Ruby Bernardo said.
In a statement, DepEd said that it took the views of their stakeholders seriously.
"[W]e acknowledge that structural reform and systemic issues, such as classroom shortage and teacher welfare, are not mutually exclusive," DepEd said.
It also said that the trimestral system remained a proposal and that no final decision has been made.
"DepEd is actively conducting consultations and will continue engaging education officials and stakeholders in the coming days to ensure that all voices are heard and considered," it said.
