TDC Chairman Benjo Basas Calls for More Preparation Before DepEd’s Three-Term School Calendar Begins

As the Department of Education (DepEd) prepares for the possible implementation of a three-term school calendar in June 2026, Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) Chairman Benjo Basas has expressed concern over the readiness of the education system for such a major shift.

In a post on his official Facebook account, Basas shared his thoughts on the proposed three-grading-period system, saying that there are still many things that need to be prepared before it can be properly implemented.

“Mr. Chair, marami pa pong dapat na ihanda bago pasimulan itong Three-Term School Calendar system at sa palagay namin ay hindi pa ito maaaring ipatupad ngayong school year. Baka kailangan natin ng pilot implementation, Mr. Chair,” Basas wrote.

His statement suggests that while the proposal may have good intentions, the transition to a three-term academic calendar requires careful planning and thorough preparation. According to Basas, the new system may not yet be suitable for implementation in the coming school year.

The TDC chairman also recommended a pilot implementation before any full rollout. This, he said, would give DepEd the chance to test the system in selected schools or areas first, allowing education officials to identify possible issues and make necessary adjustments.

A pilot run could also help teachers, school administrators, students, and parents better understand how the new calendar would work before it is introduced nationwide. Major changes in the academic structure often require adjustments in lesson planning, scheduling, assessment methods, and overall school operations.

Basas’ remarks reflect the concerns of many educators who believe that reforms in the education sector should be introduced only when schools are fully prepared. For him, readiness must come first to ensure that the quality of education will not be affected.

As discussions on the proposed three-term school calendar continue, the call for a more cautious and well-prepared approach may become an important part of the conversation ahead of June 2026.