DepEd-7 ready for trimester system

CEBU, Philippines — Preparations for the implementation of the three-term school calendar in basic education in Central Visayas are now in full swing, according to the Department of Education (DepEd)-7.

Maurita Ponce, officer-in-charge of the curriculum and learning management division of DepEd-7, said the new academic system aims to optimize instructional time, strengthen learning continuity, and improve overall education delivery for both learners and teachers.

The revised setup will replace the traditional four-quarter calendar and is designed to reduce learning gaps, maximize teaching time, and provide more structured academic breaks.

Under the new system, the 201-day school year will be divided into three terms, with each term consisting of an instructional block and an end-of-term period.

Term 1 will run from June 8 to September 15. It will begin with an opening block from June 8 to 11 for orientation and school-opening activities, followed by instructional days from June 15 to September 1 and an end-of-term block from September 2 to 15.

Term 2 will run from September 16 to December 18, with instructional days from September 16 to December 4 and end-of-term activities from December 7 to 18.

Term 3 will cover January 4 to April 8, with instruction from January 4 to March 23 and end-of-term activities from March 24 to April 8. The end-of-school-year break will follow from April 9 to May 9.

“Every end of the term naa pud tay 10 days end-after block, diha maghimo ang teachers sa grado, conduct sa contest, competitions,” said Ponce.

Each term will have an instructional block lasting around 54 to 61 days, followed by a one- to two-week enrichment or end-of-term block dedicated to grading, remediation, intervention, and teacher wellness before the next term begins.

“Kani pud na time, makapahuway sad atong teachers ug ma-focus ra sa pag-grade ug other admin task,” she added.

DepEd has already conducted a series of orientation sessions for school leaders, teachers, and stakeholders in preparation for the full rollout of the new calendar.

“As of now, we are done with the training sa atoang phase three nga last run nato sa atong revised curriculum,” Ponce said.

The sessions focused on assessment and grading systems, lesson planning, Education in Emergencies (EiE), Flexible Learning Programs (FLP), and strengthened Senior High School work immersion.

Orientation for regional and division officials started in April following the issuance of policy guidelines, while teacher orientations will be conducted in May to allow educators to fully observe their uninterrupted 30-day break without reporting duties.

“End of the block kay uninterrupted 30 days. Ang atong teachers, they are not required to report, but they can volunteer,” said Ponce.

DepEd emphasized that the transition is intended to ensure smooth implementation with minimal disruption to teaching and learning while strengthening instructional planning across schools.

According to DepEd, holidays and observances will now be integrated into the academic calendar to minimize interruptions to classroom instruction. Instead of fragmented class suspensions, a structured wellness system will be implemented, including a four-day student wellness break and a two-day teacher wellness break at the end of each term.

“Before naa pa gyud na atoang mga celebration nga holiday ma-interrupt sa classes. For this three-term, atoa nang i-integrate sa atong mga classes,” Ponce said.

Enrollment activities continue alongside Brigada Eskwela preparations as schools gear up for the opening of classes.

“Even though wala pa tay schedule sa Brigada Eskwela, our teachers are already starting the preparations of the classroom, shall I say 50 percent. For our teachers’ preparation sa curriculum, mga 90 percent,” said Ponce.

“Atong tabangan ang atong mga eskwelahan nga maamdam na,” she urged the public.

“Sa atong mga bata, pag-andam namo,” she added.

Meanwhile, DepEd reported that reconstruction of damaged classrooms remains ongoing, particularly in Bogo City.

“Naa tay learning continuity spaces nga gitukod,” said Ponce.

To address immediate classroom shortages, learning continuity spaces have been established to accommodate around 25 to 30 students per room while infrastructure rehabilitation continues. (CEBU NEWS)