MANILA — The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) on Sunday said it is receptive to the Department of Education’s proposal to shift to a trimester system beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.

EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee, however, stressed that readiness and proper consultation must come first before any rollout.

“So hindi po tayo against sa trimester proposal. Kailangan lang pong siguruhin na handa yung ground, maayos ang consultation, natanong lahat ng teachers at ready talaga,” he told Super Radyo dzBB.

(We are not against the trimester proposal. We just need to ensure that the ground [level] is prepared, consultations are handled properly, all teachers are consulted, and everyone is truly ready.)

DepEd has earlier described the proposed trimester scheme as a “holistic approach” aimed at promoting balanced time management among students.

Under the plan, the current 201 school days would be divided into three terms composed of continuous and curated lessons and tasks. The first term would run from June to September, the second from September to December, and the third from January to March.

EDCOM 2 said the proposed system may help mitigate the loss of learning days brought about by class suspensions and mandatory celebrations.

“Kung maalala natin, in the last three years sa EDCOM, lagi natin kinukwento yung kawalan ng araw sa pagkatuto. Nakita natin yung datos pagdating sa classroom suspensions dahil sa rami ng bagyo, heat index,” he said.

(If we recall, in the last three years at EDCOM, we have always been talking about the loss of learning days.)

“So nakikita natin na 30 to 50 days sa isang school year ang nawawala dahil sa suspension ng klase,” Yee added.

(We have seen that 30 to 50 days in a school year are lost due to class suspensions.)

Yee pointed out that although the law mandates roughly 200 school days, the actual number of class days often falls to 150 or even fewer.

“Sa pamamagitan ng mas mahahabang oras, sa pamamagitan ng trimester, makaka-save ng ilang araw, at yung pagkatuto talagang siguro mas makukumpleto yung mga lessons na kailangan ituro. So isa pong advantage ‘yun,” Yee said.

(Through longer hours and the trimester system, we can save a few days, and learning—perhaps the lessons that need to be taught—will be more complete. So that is one advantage.)

“Pero ang mahalaga po kung gagawin ‘yun ay handa yung mga guro, handa yung mga materyales. Kasi yung curriculum guide ng DepEd ngayon ay quarterly pa rin,” he added.

(But what’s important, if that is implemented, is that the teachers are ready and the materials are ready. Because DepEd’s current curriculum guide is still [designed] quarterly.)