The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines cautioned that educators and learners once again risk being treated as “lab rats” under the Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposed trimester system, warning that repeated hit-or-miss reforms have long burdened classrooms with confusion and heavier workloads.
In a statement, ACT said past curricular and structural changes were often rolled out without adequate preparation, support, or evaluation, leaving teachers and students to absorb the consequences.
“Kung may pag-aaral na basehan ang panukalang ito, dapat malinaw itong inilalahad at sinusuri kasama ang mga guro,” ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo said.
“Hindi maaaring magpatupad ng malalaking pagbabago sa sistema ng paaralan nang walang makabuluhang konsultasyon sa mga direktang maaapektuhan,” she added.
DepEd announced the trimester proposal on February 13, citing goals of improving curriculum implementation, reducing teacher workload, and protecting instructional time beginning SY 2026–2027. But ACT argued the plan fails to address the roots of the education crisis, including overcrowded classrooms, low teacher pay, excessive administrative work, inadequate textbooks, and student hunger.
“Kung seryoso ang gobyerno na tugunan ang learning crisis, dapat unahin ang pagpuno sa mga kakulangang ito,” Bernardo said.
“Ang mga agenda na hindi lapat sa lupa ay lalo lamang magpapahirap sa mga guro at estudyante,” she added.
ACT also flagged operational issues such as workload compression and disruptions to the grading system.
“Paano iaangkop ang grading system na matagal nang nakahati sa apat, na may iba’t ibang anyo ng assessment at criteria?” Bernardo asked.
“Ang ganitong pagbabago ay hindi simpleng teknikal na usapin at may malalim na epekto sa aktwal na pagtuturo at pagkatuto,” she added.
The group urged DepEd to release supporting studies, conduct genuine consultations, and prioritize long-standing demands such as livable wages, adequate classrooms, and sufficient learning resources.
“Hindi kalendaryo ang ugat ng krisis sa edukasyon,” Bernardo said, stressing that reforms must be evidence-based, well-funded, and participatory. (RRN)
