The Department of Education (DepEd) has finally responded to calls from teachers’ groups, reinforcing the rule that public school teachers should not be forced to work more than six hours a day. This move follows the guidelines set out in the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.

DepEd’s New Guidelines on Teaching Hours

Education Secretary Sonny Angara issued a memorandum on September 27 stating that teachers can take on extra teaching loads, but they must be fairly compensated for this additional work. The memorandum highlights that any teaching done beyond the six-hour limit should be considered an “overload” and requires additional pay.

“Actual teaching loads in excess of six hours shall be compensated through payment of teaching overload, provided that it does not exceed two hours per day as stipulated in Republic Act 4670,” Secretary Angara mentioned.

This rule means that only actual classroom teaching and class advising duties are counted as part of the six-hour daily teaching load. If teachers work more than this, they are eligible for overload pay.

How Overload Pay Works

The memorandum outlines how to calculate the overload pay for teachers. The pay is based on multiplying the total overload hours by the teacher’s hourly rate. For example, if a teacher earns a monthly salary of PHP 27,000 and works an additional 22.75 hours of teaching overload in a month, they would receive an extra PHP 5,756.75.

Moreover, the new policy ensures that teachers who have completed their six-hour classroom duty are considered to have fulfilled their daily working hours. This means they should not face any salary deductions for not staying beyond the required hours.

DepEd Order No. 5 and Teachers’ Concerns

DepEd Order No. 5 (DO 5) provides the detailed guidelines for overload pay and enforces the six-hour teaching requirement under the Matatag curriculum. However, teachers’ groups, including the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), have expressed concerns about this order.

The TDC argues that DO 5, while promising overload pay for teachers working beyond six hours, still places an extra burden on teachers. It requires them to teach six hours daily, which they claim goes against the “spirit and letter of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.” According to the TDC, this policy could result in teachers being forced to teach subjects or grade levels outside their training and expertise, increasing their workload unnecessarily.

Problems with the Current Curriculum

Teachers have also raised concerns about the overloaded curriculum under the Matatag framework. The TDC argues that the integration of more subjects into the curriculum has led to overcrowded schedules. In some cases, teachers are now required to handle subjects like mathematics and reading, even if they lack expertise in these areas. This situation puts both teachers and students under undue stress and pressure.

Potential Impacts on Teachers

Another issue raised by teachers’ groups is the possibility that schools might declare an “excess” of teachers. This could lead to some teachers being transferred to other schools or stations, disrupting their professional and personal lives. The TDC sees these policies as ways to “scourge” teachers rather than provide support.

Advocating for Teachers’ Rights

Amidst these issues, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has urged teachers and education workers to support the Makabayan senatorial lineup. The ACT believes that having genuine representation in Congress is crucial to address the education sector’s challenges.

The ACT officially backed the Makabayan slate after its national convention, highlighting that educators need to be part of the movement to push for an education-friendly agenda in the Senate.

“The Makabayan slate represents the aspirations and demands of the Filipino people, especially those in the marginalized sectors. With our sectors truly represented in the legislative arena, we are confident that the issues plaguing our society will be brought to the table with urgency and dedication,” said ACT Chairman Vladimer Quetua.

The Makabayan Coalition’s lineup includes various sectoral representatives like ACT Teachers’ party-list Rep. France Castro and Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, aiming to be the voice for teachers and workers in Congress.

Teachers as Advocates for Change

The ACT stresses the vital role of the education sector in the larger struggle for societal change. They urge teachers, education workers, and the general public to support candidates who will work for the betterment of education and the rights of educators.

“Our support for the Makabayan slate is rooted in our collective vision of a government that genuinely serves the people. Our progressive candidates, with extensive experience and a life dedicated to serving the masses, are ready to bridge the gap between policy and practice,” said Quetua.

Conclusion

The DepEd’s recent memorandum aims to address teachers’ demands for a more balanced workload and fair compensation for extra work. However, while the policy seems like a positive step, some teachers’ groups feel that more needs to be done. There are ongoing concerns about the implications of the six-hour teaching policy and the overloaded curriculum, which they believe continue to overburden educators.

With teachers’ groups like the ACT and TDC actively advocating for teachers’ rights, the education sector continues to push for changes that will genuinely support educators and improve the quality of education.

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