Bam Aquino is calling for a Senate hearing on the Department of Education’s proposed shift to a trimester school calendar, saying the plan must undergo scrutiny and broad consultation before any rollout.
Aquino, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said the Senate should formally examine DepEd’s proposal to implement a trimestral system starting School Year 2026 to 2027. He stressed that reforms affecting students and teachers nationwide should not move forward without careful review.
“Sisiguraduhin natin na may Senate hearing tungkol sa repormang ito, para suriin at pag-usapan ito,” Aquino said in a statement issued Sunday.
He said the proposed change requires wide consultation, particularly with teachers, parents, and education stakeholders who will bear the impact of a restructured academic calendar. “Bago ipatupad ng DepEd ang trimestral system, mahalagang sumailalim ito sa malawakang konsultasyon,” he said.
Aquino noted that while the committee supports education reforms that address learning gaps, any policy shift must be thoroughly studied. He pointed to the current strain on teachers, many of whom are burdened by non teaching tasks alongside classroom responsibilities.
“Suportado ng Committee of Basic Education ang mga panukalang reporma na tutugon sa learning gap at tutulong sa mga guro, na sa kasalukuyan ay overloaded sa non teaching tasks,” Aquino said.
He added that urgency should not replace due process. “Bagaman kinikilala natin ang pangangailangan para sa malawakang reporma, siguraduhin natin na hindi ito gawin ng padalus dalos at dumaan nga sa tamang konsultasyon,” he said.
The Department of Education has said it is studying the adoption of a trimester system as part of what it described as a holistic approach to time management and learning delivery. The proposal would divide 201 school days into three terms, with the first running from June to September, the second from September to December, and the final term from January to March. Each term would last between 54 and 61 instructional days, with limited interruptions for non academic activities.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the proposal aims to allow longer and more continuous learning periods, better pacing of lessons, and reduced administrative burden on teachers.
“Itinutulak natin ito upang magkaroon ng mas mahahabang tuloy tuloy na panahon ng pagkatuto, mas maayos na pacing ng mga aralin, at mas mababang administrative burden para sa ating mga guro,” Angara said.
Aquino said the Senate hearing would provide a venue to test those claims against the realities faced by schools and educators. DepEd has said it will release policy guidelines on the trimester calendar after further consultations with stakeholders.
