Schools to Shift to a Three-Grading Period System Starting SY 2026–2027

The Philippine basic education system will officially transition to a three-grading period school calendar beginning School Year 2026–2027. The change was approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the eighth meeting of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) held on Thursday, March 19.

Endorsed by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Social Development Committee-Cabinet Level (SDC-CL), the policy aims to provide students with a more sufficient and uninterrupted learning period throughout the school year.

According to education officials, the new three-term school calendar is designed to address the frequent disruptions in classroom instruction caused by bad weather and various celebrations. These interruptions often reduce the number of effective learning days for students, affecting the overall quality of education.

By adopting a three-grading period system, the government hopes to create a more efficient academic schedule that will allow schools to better manage instructional time and ensure that learners receive the full length of education they need.

The implementation of this policy is expected to begin in all basic education institutions in the country by School Year 2026–2027.