MANILA, Philippines —The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has strongly opposed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) plan to shift to a trimester school calendar, calling the move rushed and lacking proper consultation with educators and stakeholders. The group insists that the proposal fails to address deeper systemic issues in the education sector.

ACT criticized the government’s newly approved three-term calendar, arguing that it was introduced without adequate dialogue with teachers. The group said the reform could worsen existing problems such as classroom shortages, heavy workloads, and poor teacher welfare. “This is a rushed reform that purportedly fails to address deeper problems in the education sector,” ACT said in a statement.

DepEd, however, defended the proposal, saying the trimester system is intended to provide longer and more flexible instructional periods while reducing teacher workload. Education Secretary Sonny Angara explained that the plan aims to simplify academic planning and improve the use of instructional time. He noted that the department is still conducting consultations and no final decision has been made.

Under the proposed system, the school year 2026–2027 would be divided into three terms instead of the current four quarters. DepEd believes this could ease pressure on teachers and students by allowing more time for lessons and activities. However, ACT countered that without addressing fundamental issues such as inadequate facilities, low salaries, and contractualization of teachers, the calendar change would be superficial.

Education stakeholders remain divided. Some groups welcomed the idea of longer instructional periods, while others echoed ACT’s concerns about the lack of consultation and the risk of worsening existing challenges. DepEd assured that it will continue engaging with teachers, legislators, and parents before finalizing the plan.

The debate highlights the tension between structural reforms and systemic problems in Philippine education. While DepEd frames the trimester calendar as a step toward easing workloads, teachers’ groups argue that reforms must first address shortages in classrooms, resources, and teacher welfare to be truly effective.

For now, the trimester proposal remains under review, but ACT’s opposition signals that any major shift in the school calendar will face strong resistance unless broader education issues are resolved.