The Department of Education (DepEd) 11 announced on Wednesday that classes for School Year 2026–2027 will officially open on June 8, 2026, marking the return to the traditional academic schedule and the start of a new three-term school calendar system in public schools.
DepEd 11 spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said the revised calendar aims to provide longer uninterrupted teaching and learning periods while minimizing classroom disruptions caused by school activities.
“Sugod na pud ta’g balik didto sa katung the normal, the usual schedule nga traditonal, I think that’s the correct term para sa atoang pag-abri sa klase,” Atillo said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media briefing.
He explained that under the new setup, the usual four grading periods will be replaced with three academic terms composed of opening, instructional, and closing blocks.
“Daghan kaayo’g kabag-ohan sa pagka-karon because we will be embarking on a new school calendar, which will be divided into three ang number of class days nato,” he said.
According to Atillo, the school year will consist of 201 class days and will run until April 8, 2027.
“We will be having 201 class days, but we will… we are implementing a new scheme for the school calendar. Gitawag namo na karon og three terms school calendar. Naanad ta’g upat ka quarters, no, naa tay first grading up to fourth grading. So pagka-karon, tungaon namo na… i-divide namo na ngadto sa tulo,” he said.
Under the new structure, Term 1 will have a total of 69 days, including 55 uninterrupted instructional days focused solely on teaching and learning while Term 2 will cover 65 days, with 56 days allotted for instruction, and Term 3 will have 67 days, including 57 focused instructional days.
Atillo stressed that the goal of the new calendar is to protect classroom time and prevent non-academic activities from interrupting lessons.
“Ang tumong og tuyo niana is that we wanted really to provide a wide latitude of the teaching-learning period. Dili na namo gusto karon nga ma-disturbo pag-ayo kadtong adlaw para sa pagkat-on sa atoang mga kabatan-onan,” he said.
He added that school celebrations and activities such as Nutrition Month programs should, as much as possible, be conducted outside regular class hours.
“In fact, isa sa mga bag-o ani, kon naay mga activities, himoon ninyo ang activities outside of the class hours. Dili na nato gusto nga hilabtan sya. Pananglit… Nutrition Week, pwede na lang gani na sya itudlo diritso basta part sa curriculum. Pero kung gusto gyud nila nga mag-activity niana, himoon nila ang activity outside of the class hours. Pwedeng hapon, pwedeng weekday, weekends,” he added.
Atillo clarified that the implementation of the three-term calendar will initially apply only to public schools nationwide beginning June 8, while private schools may choose whether to adopt the system.
“Pero kini, limitado namo ni para sa tanang public schools sa tibuok Pilipinas starting karong June 8. With respect didto sa private schools, well, they have the option to adopt this or not,” he said.
He said the policy is ultimately designed to strengthen student learning continuity even during disruptions such as natural disasters.
“Tumong ug tuyo para mahatagan og taas nga panahon ang pagtudlo sa mga bata. Now, kung naay kalamidad, then we can shift to alternative learning modalities, but ang importante is magpadayon gihapon,” Atillo said.
