The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday said the three-term school calendar will help address frequent class disruptions and promote deep learning in public schools nationwide.

The DepEd has earlier supported the Cabinet-approved shift to a three-term academic calendar beginning School Year (SY) 2026-2027.

In a statement, DepEd Media Relations Head Dennis Legaspi said the new policy seeks 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.

He added that the revised system will also help deepen the quality of learning in public schools.

“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,” Legaspi said.

Under the revised system, the mandated 201 school days will be divided into three terms: June to September, September to December, and January to March.

Each term will begin with a five-day Opening block to ensure that formal classes will proceed “without disruption.”

The opening block will be dedicated to securing learners’ profiles, baseline assessments, and other necessary administrative procedures.

This will be followed by a 60-day uninterrupted Instructional Block, which will cover teaching and learning.

Lastly, a two-week End-of-Term Block will follow, which is dedicated to celebrations, other extra-curricular activities, targeted remediation and enrichment, in-service training, as well as wellness breaks for teachers and learners.

Under the setup, the DepEd said administrative loads will be eased, which will allow public school educators to focus on teaching.

“The shift from four quarters to three terms significantly streamlines grading cycles and reduces reporting peaks,” Legaspi said.

To complement the benefits of the three-term school calendar in quality education, the DepEd assured the continuous implementation of other reform programs, including the speedy construction of classrooms, expansion of school-based feeding and nutrition programs, literacy interventions, enhanced distribution of textbooks, and improved measures on class suspensions. (PNA)