PUBLIC schools nationwide will shift to a three-term academic calendar starting June, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) confirmed on Friday.

The move follows the approval of the Economy and Development Council on March 19 of a proposal from the Department of Education (DepEd).

Under the revised system, the mandated 201 school days will be divided into three terms: June to September, September to December, and January to March. Each term will consist of 54 to 61 instructional days, designed to provide more continuous and structured learning with fewer interruptions from non-academic activities.

The new calendar will also introduce a “block system.” An opening block will take place at the start of the first term to cover school opening activities, followed by an instructional block aligned with curriculum competencies. Each term will conclude with a two-week enrichment block dedicated to remediation, academic recovery, grade processing, and teacher wellness breaks.

DepDev described the shift from a four-grading to a three-grading-period system as a “critical step” toward improving education outcomes. The agency noted that the change aligns with recommendations from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), which called for measures to ensure sufficient learning time amid frequent class disruptions.

Data from DepEd showed that during the 2023–2024 school year, at least 53 school days were suspended—32 of which were due to typhoons and extreme heat.

“By shifting to longer, uninterrupted instructional blocks, students can maintain a more stable learning pace while allowing time for recovery each term,” DepDev said.

The agency added that the revised calendar will also give teachers more opportunities for professional development and the implementation of catch-up initiatives.

DepDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, who also serves as vice chair of the council, said the reform reflects the government’s commitment to building a globally competitive workforce.

“Our commitment to developing a globally competitive workforce begins with providing evidence-based solutions to bridge educational gaps,” Balisacan said. “We commend DepEd for continuing to pursue initiatives that support critical development priorities.”