Public elementary and high schools across the Philippines will officially begin classes for School Year 2025–2026 on June 16, 2025, marking a return to the pre-pandemic academic calendar.
The Department of Education (DepEd) confirmed the opening date in its DepEd Order No. 12, Series of 2025, which outlines the adjusted school calendar for the upcoming academic year. This move reflects the department’s goal of normalizing school operations and aligning the academic schedule with the country’s traditional school year timeline.
The 2025–2026 school year will run until March 31, 2026, covering 197 school days, including the period for End-of-School-Year (EOSY) rites. However, DepEd clarified that the number of school days may still change depending on unforeseen events such as natural disasters or future policy changes.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, expressed his support for the June opening of classes, saying that this will help students and teachers return to a sense of normalcy after the disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized that resuming classes in June can also help minimize the negative impact of extreme heat, which has been affecting learners and educators during the dry season.
“The return to a June opening was not an easy process, but it is a necessary one,” Gatchalian said. “This shift will benefit both students and teachers, not only by restoring our traditional calendar but also by protecting them from extreme weather conditions.”
This change comes amid growing calls from various education stakeholders to revert to the old school calendar. Many have argued that the current setup, which places the bulk of classroom activities during the hottest months of the year, has become impractical and even dangerous due to worsening climate conditions.
DepEd has advised all regional and school officials to begin preparations for the upcoming school year and ensure that schools are ready to accept students by June 16. The agency has also reminded school heads to strictly implement health and safety protocols as needed, especially in areas still recovering from pandemic-related disruptions.
With this move, public schools are expected to fully transition to the pre-pandemic school calendar by next year, restoring a sense of familiarity and structure for the education sector.