A Growing Problem in the Philippine Education System

It’s not just the new or lower-ranked teachers who are leaving the Department of Education (DepEd) anymore. In the past, those resigning were mostly Teacher I to Teacher III. But now, even master teachers, principals, and supervisors are stepping away from their positions.

Many are choosing to work abroad or shift to other careers in search of better pay, less stress, and more professional respect. This is a worrying sign for the country’s education system.

Why Are Teachers and Leaders Leaving DepEd?

1. Low and Uncompetitive Salaries

For many, the salary simply does not match the workload and responsibilities. A lot of teachers are struggling with debt, and for those who have families to support, their monthly pay often falls short. If they had better financial stability, fewer would be forced to leave DepEd in search of “greener pastures.”

2. Too Much Paperwork and Reports

Teachers are buried under repetitive paperwork. Forms, reports, and compliance documents take hours that should be spent preparing lessons or teaching students. Even principals and supervisors—who should be guiding and mentoring teachers—spend a huge portion of their time on documents instead of real educational work.

3. High Expectations but Low Support

The administration often expects teachers and school leaders to deliver results—better test scores, more programs, more activities—yet support is lacking. Resources are limited, training is not enough, and many feel their efforts go unrecognized.

4. The Burden of the System

From bureaucratic processes to constant policy changes, the system can be exhausting. Teachers and leaders often feel trapped between meeting administrative demands and doing what is truly best for students.

What Happens When They Leave?

The resignation of experienced educators affects everyone:

• Students lose mentors who understand their needs.
• Younger teachers lose guidance from experienced leaders.
• Schools face disruption as replacements take time to train.
• Morale drops among those who remain, leading to even more resignations.

What Can Be Done to Stop the Exodus?

1. Raise salaries to match the skills and responsibilities required.
2. Reduce unnecessary paperwork so teachers and leaders can focus on teaching and mentoring.
3. Provide real administrative support, including resources, fair workloads, and mental health programs.
4. Reform the system to prioritize learning over bureaucracy.

A Personal View

In my own opinion, if not for the heavy debts that some teachers are carrying, even more of them would have already left DepEd. Many are simply staying because they have no choice—leaving would put their families at risk financially. But if an opportunity comes, most would grab it. That alone says a lot about the current state of the teaching profession in the Philippines.

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