Teachers cry over extended work during school break

Teachers cry over extended work during school break

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to clarify its new order that will “extend the work of teachers” beyond the scheduled end of the school year

TDC questioned the DepEd Order No. 25, s. 2022 signed by Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan last week “seems to ignore the supposed entitlement” of a two-month vacation for teachers.

“This policy should be clarified because we expect teachers to enjoy a two-month vacation between the closing and opening of school years, we have the right under the law,” TDC national chairperson Benjo Basas said.

The School Year (SY) 2021-2022 was scheduled to end on June 24, 2022.

TDC noted that the DepEd Order will “need” some of the teachers to conduct remedial classes for children with failing grades in two subjects.

TDC also said that learners with grades of 75 to 79 in any subject must attend enrichment classes and these two interventions should be held from July 24 to August 12 — way past the scheduled last day of classes.

“Due to various requirements that include online activities, physical reporting, virtual and physical classes, clerical tasks, and other concerns even in this time of the pandemic, our teachers are now exhausted and badly need a breather to prepare for another school year,” Basas said.

“Itong bakasyon na lang ang inaasahan sana ng mga guro pero mukhang pati ito ay kukunin pa sa amin,” he added.

TDC is hoping to have a dialogue with Malaluan or DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones to discuss the details.

“We won’t refuse work especially if it is for children,” Basas said. 

“But DepEd should also consider the welfare of teachers,” he added.

Basas also stressed that if there would be an exigency of service, “the ready justification for extended work, then the provision of the law for overtime pay should also be observed.”