Rainy School Opening in Davao Coincides with Heated Debate Over Education Reform
Despite slippery, rain-soaked grounds, learners at Davao City National High School demonstrated remarkable order and spirit during the opening of School Year 2025-2026. Following the flag ceremony and back-to-school kickoff program on Monday morning, June 16, 2025, students carefully navigated the muddy oval to return to their classrooms, undeterred by the damp conditions that marked the academic year's commencement.
Teachers' Union Raises Alarm Over Proposed Trimester System
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers–Davao City (ACT-Davao) has voiced strong opposition to the Department of Education's proposal to transition from a four-quarter system to a trimester format. Reynaldo Pardillo, chairperson of ACT-Davao, emphasized that teachers and students should not be treated as "lab rats" for untested educational reforms.
Pardillo argued that the national government must prioritize pressing issues before implementing structural changes. He highlighted critical problems including classroom shortages, inadequate teacher salaries, excessive clerical work, error-prone textbooks, and student hunger. "Agendas that did not go through proper consultation make it more difficult for teachers and students," Pardillo stated on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The union leader stressed that merely shifting to a trimester system would not address the education system's deep-rooted challenges. ACT-Davao clarified they are not opposed to reform but insisted that meaningful change must be evidence-based, well-funded, and participatory.
Demands for Transparency and Consultation
The teachers' group called on DepEd to release the study supporting the trimester proposal and conduct extensive consultations with educators. They emphasized the need to prioritize teacher demands such as livable wages, permanent positions, sufficient classrooms, and adequate learning resources.
ACT-Davao questioned the proposal's transparency and supporting research, noting that previous structural changes were implemented without proper preparation, evaluation, or support, forcing teachers and students to navigate "hit-or-miss education reforms."
The union raised practical concerns about compressing teachers' work into three semesters when meeting requirements under the current four-quarter system is already challenging. "Reshuffling workdays does not reduce overwork, teaching loads, or class sizes," Pardillo asserted.
DepEd Defends Proposal as Necessary Innovation
Meanwhile, Jenielito "Dodong" Atillo, DepEd-Davao Region spokesperson, defended the proposal as inevitable progress. "Because this is the education system, you cannot just stay stuck in the traditional way. You really have to look at whatever you can do to further improve the sector," Atillo explained.
He clarified that the shift from a four-quarter to trimester system remains a proposal from DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, which has been forwarded to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for consideration.
Atillo emphasized that the proposal would maintain the required 220 school calendar days and would not eliminate subjects. Instead, it aims to create a more manageable school year by providing longer, uninterrupted learning periods, better pacing of lessons, and reduced administrative burdens for teachers.
Secretary Angara first proposed the trimester system on February 13, arguing it would improve teaching and learning efficiency. Atillo confirmed the proposal is not final and will only proceed with proper approval, acknowledging the ongoing debate between educational innovation and practical implementation concerns.
