Parents-teachers group backs trimester proposal

MANILA, Philippines — The National Parents-Teachers Association (NPTA) backed the Department of Education (DepEd)’s proposed trimester scheme yesterday amid reservations from some groups.

In an interview with dzMM, NPTA president Willy Rodriguez noted that the trimester system is currently being implemented in many countries.

“For us at the NPTA, we fully support it because it is also being done in first world countries, such as Singapore, Japan and Finland and other countries. If they can do it, why can’t it be done in the Philippines?” Rodriguez said.

The DepEd is continuing consultations on the proposed shift to a trimester school calendar, following Malacañang’s directive to ensure extensive dialogues with stakeholders before any implementation.

“Under the proposed trimester, we will have three quarters and the days are longer, almost 61 days. The longer the term, the more opportunities for the teachers to have remedial classes, the easier it is for teachers and the easier it is for students,” Rodriguez added.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara has said that the feedback from concerned stakeholders was “very good.”

“The teachers haven’t tried it, so they cannot say that it will not be effective,” Rodriguez added.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Palace supports calls for broad public consultation on the proposal.

The proposed calendar aims to divide the school year into three terms with longer instructional and enrichment blocks, allowing uninterrupted lesson delivery, reducing teacher workload and improving the pacing of instruction.

Under the plan for School Year 2026-2027, the 201 school days would run from early June to late March: the first trimester from June to September, the second from September to December and the third from January to March.