The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced that the school year (SY) 2025-2026 will begin on June 16, marking a return to the traditional pre-pandemic academic calendar.
This decision is based on DepEd Order No. 12, Series of 2025, which was issued on April 15 and approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in May 2024.
According to the order, the school year will run from June 16, 2025, to March 31, 2026, covering 197 school days, including the End-of-School-Year (EOSY) rites.
DepEd noted that the number of school days may be adjusted depending on unforeseen events or new directives.
Enrollment activities for Brigada Eskwela are scheduled from June 9 to 13, ensuring schools are prepared one week before the start of classes.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the school year traditionally ended in March and resumed in June, allowing schools to remain unoccupied during the summer break.
Lawmakers have expressed concerns that the August-to-June school calendar does not suit the country’s climate and academic rhythm.
Meanwhile, DepEd clarified that private schools may either adopt the official school calendar or set their own start dates, as long as they comply with the School Calendar Law, which mandates that the school year must begin no earlier than the first Monday of June and no later than the last day of August.
