Malacañang on Thursday backed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) plan to implement a three-term school calendar, citing its benefits in reducing costs and improving instruction time.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Education Secretary Sonny Angara has assured the agency’s readiness to roll out the new trimester system.

“Handang-handa na po ang DepEd (DepEd is fully prepared),” Castro said in a Palace press briefing.

Castro said the shift to a three-term system would not require additional funding and could even reduce expenses.

“Wala namang dagdag gastos para sa three-term calendar at mas mababawasan pa nga raw ang mga gastos kasi menos ang exams, menos ang projects (There will be no additional cost for the three-term calendar. Expenses may even be reduced because there will be fewer exams and projects),” she said.

Castro noted that teachers have even expressed support for the proposed change.

She said the new calendar is expected to enhance learning time and allow more flexibility in teaching.

“Na-appreciate ito ng mga guro dahil mas malalim at maluwang ang instructional time kaysa sa dati. So, handa naman po ang DepEd (This has been appreciated by teachers because instructional time will be more flexible compared to before. So, the DepEd is ready),” Castro said.

She said the reform aims to improve the overall quality of education while easing the burden on both students and teachers.

DepEd earlier introduced a three-term school calendar for academic year 2026-2027, aimed at improving learning outcomes by providing longer and more continuous instructional periods while reducing administrative workload for teachers. (PNA)