Goodbye Four Quarters? DepEd Backs a 3-Term School Year Starting Next SY

The Department of Education said it supports the Cabinet-level endorsement of a three-term school calendar that would begin next school year. DepEd described the shift as a major reform aimed at putting teaching quality and student learning at the center of the basic education system.

One of the main reasons behind the change is the loss of classroom time. The department said as many as 53 school days were lost in school year 2023-2024, and it believes a redesigned calendar can help schools use time more effectively instead of stretching the year in a way that creates repeated disruptions.

Under the proposed setup, the school year would begin with a five-day Opening Block. That period would be used for learner profiling, baseline assessments, and other essential administrative work before the regular academic flow really kicks in.

After that comes an Instructional Block of roughly 60 days of uninterrupted teaching and learning. DepEd said moving from four quarters to three terms would streamline grading cycles, reduce reporting peaks, and ease the admin load on teachers so they can focus more on actual instruction — which, honestly, is the whole point.

The agency said the reform followed consultations with learners, teachers, school leaders, parents, and lawmakers starting in January. DepEd added that the calendar change is only one part of a wider reform push that also includes classroom construction, feeding and nutrition programs, literacy interventions, textbook provision, and a refined interagency policy on class suspensions. Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/24/news/national/deped-backs-shifting-to-3-term-calendar/2305781