Introduction

Why does it seem that the teaching loads of teachers are getting heavier, to the extent that they are already very exhausted? It has been just a few days since the start of the school year 2024-2025, and our teachers are already stressed out. Why is DepEd so changeable when it comes to issues like this? Can’t they feel the pressure that is upon the shoulders of the teachers? This clearly reminds us that the officials only implement, and the teachers suffer.

The Overwhelming Teaching Loads

Almost all teachers right now are crying over the heavy load upon their shoulders. DepEd should be fair to their teachers and should at least think of their welfare, but it seems that they are doing the opposite. The requirement to render six hours of actual classroom teaching is being overstretched, forcing teachers to handle different grade levels. This added responsibility significantly impacts their physical, mental, and emotional health.

Challenges Faced by Teachers

Aside from that, there are school principals who would rather see their teachers suffering rather than teaching effectively. They practice making teachers walk to their destined subjects, which is especially exhausting in large schools or those situated on hilly terrain. Where is the consideration there?

Unstable Policies and Their Effects

If only DepEd was a stable education platform that treated teachers fairly, these issues would not arise. The truth is, it feels like an experiment where teachers are the subjects. The worst-case scenario is that these teachers suffer the consequences of sudden policy changes. Now, teachers are confused if this is the legacy of the former secretary or a change from the new secretary. Why is everything in DepEd so chaotic?

The Human Cost of Abrupt Changes

Teachers and students are the most affected by these abrupt changes, with teachers bearing the brunt of the exhaustion. This change is slowly killing the teachers because they feel tired from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. This is not fair to the teachers, who now believe there might be a hidden agenda behind these policies. Is this DepEd’s solution to avoid hiring more teachers? With the new school year just beginning, the exhaustion is palpable. What about the coming days, weeks, and months? Someone in DepEd needs to review these changes, or they risk causing severe mental health issues among teachers. DepEd should remember that teachers are humans, not robots!

Conclusion

The start of SY 2024-2025 has highlighted significant issues within DepEd’s policies, causing immense stress and exhaustion among teachers. Immediate action and a stable, fair approach are necessary to ensure the well-being of educators, who are crucial to the success of our education system. It’s time for DepEd to recognize the burden on teachers and make the necessary changes to support them effectively. – Avril | Helpline PH