Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed support for conducting a thorough study on the proposal to shift basic education to a trimester system, in line with earlier statements from Malacañang Palace.
The senator, a former chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, stressed that the reform must undergo careful review before implementation.
Under the proposed setup, the first trimester would run from June to September, the second from September to December, and the third from January to late March, completing the required 201 school days. Gatchalian said the Department of Education (DepEd) must conduct extensive consultations with stakeholders, particularly teachers, to ensure the change will not result in additional workload.
He emphasized that any adjustment to the academic calendar should prioritize the welfare of educators and the learning outcomes of students.
“We need to make sure that this will not only be feasible but will also lead to better learning for our children,” he noted.
The senator cited findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), which reported a learning crisis in the country. According to the commission, around half of learners from kindergarten to grade 3 struggle with basic reading and writing skills, underscoring the need for reforms that genuinely improve education quality.
