Senate probe sought on DepEd’s trimester proposalMANILA, Philippines — The Senate needs to look into the Department of Education (DepEd)’s proposal to shift to a trimestral system for School Year 2026-2027, Sen. Bam Aquino said yesterday, as he warned against a rushed implementation of the policy. Aquino, chairperson of the Senate committee on basic education, emphasized that such a major adjustment in the academic calendar requires extensive consultation with stakeholders before it is rolled out. Senate Bill 1841, or the Private Education Voucher Expansion (PEVE) Act, filed on Feb. 11, aims to institutionalize a unified voucher-based framework for learners from kindergarten to senior high school. Pangilinan said the bill targets students who are forced to endure congested public classrooms or those residing in areas without nearby public schools. Beyond student aid, the measure also provides institutional support to private schools, including teacher development programs.

Source: Philippine Star February 15, 2026 16:34 UTC