LIVESTREAM: Senate holds hearing on proposed trimester system, state of literacy

2026-03-03 - 01:33

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate committee on basic education is conducting an inquiry on Tuesday, March 3, into the Department of Education’s proposed switch to a trimester system, and on the current state of literacy in the Philippines. The shift from a quarterly to a trimester calendar aims for a “holistic approach” that involves “longer and continuous learning time,” according to Education Secretary Sonny Angara. The proposal garnered mixed reviews from the public, with some arguing that changing the school calendar should not be the top priority in the education crisis, while others are open to giving it a try for a more balanced learning pace. On Tuesday, the Senate will also look into the state of literacy, as the Second Congressional Commission on Education found that students’ proficiency has been declining even as they advance through grade levels. Watch the Senate hearing on this page or visit Rappler’s YouTube channel for the livestream at 10 am. – Rappler.com