3-term calendar seen protecting learning amid class disruptions

Pedestrians passing EDSA near Kamuning, Quezon City deal with heavy pour on August 17, 2026.

Michael Varcas / The Philippine STAR

MANILA, Philippines — The three-term calendar should help protect teaching and learning amid class suspensions caused by unabated rains induced by the southwest monsoon, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines said yesterday.

In a statement, CEAP said the three-term calendar gives teachers longer and more focused periods for instruction, allowing schools to better address disruptions caused by typhoons, floods, extreme heat, earthquakes and other emergencies that have become part of the country’s educational landscape.

“From recovering lost days to recovering lost learning, the true measure of educational resilience is how well we restore every learner’s path forward,” CEAP said.

Class suspensions present a practical challenge for teachers whose lessons have already been carefully planned but whose available instructional days are suddenly reduced, the group said.

To address learning losses, it said the implementation of curriculum triage is necessary. It described the process as making sound instructional decisions when circumstances change while preserving intended learning and allowing teachers to recalibrate their approach.

“A class suspension reduces available instructional time. When classes resume, teachers may feel pressure to increase the pace in order to regain lost ground. A faster pace, however, can compromise understanding,” it said.

CEAP stressed that the effectiveness of the three-term calendar would also depend on how the education system responds when classes are disrupted.

“The real measure of recovery lies beyond restoring the original calendar. It lies in restoring learners to meaningful, sustained and progressive learning,” CEAP said. — Janvic Mateo