The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines is set to implement a new three-term school calendar beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year. This change will reduce the number of grading periods from four to three, aiming to enhance the quality of basic education and strengthen instructional planning. Orientation sessions for school heads, teachers, and other stakeholders will start in April 2026, focusing on necessary policy adjustments and operational changes related to the new calendar. While some stakeholders view this as a positive step towards deeper learning, others, including the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), criticize the initiative as rushed and failing to address critical systemic issues such as low salaries and resource shortages. DepEd maintains that the transition will be orderly and well-supported, with further details on the orientation schedule to be announced soon.