To ensure that they are not “burdened” with non-work related matters, the Department of Education (DepEd) is not allowing teachers to engage in community service or extracurricular activities during school hours. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte issued DepEd Order No. 008 series of 2023 dated March 28 entitled “Participation of Teachers in Volunteer Work and Extra Curricular Activities.” Duterte explained that the said DepEd Order was issued to “empower our teachers and make it clear that they have the option to say no to invitations to community events and/or requests to render community service that are non-teaching or non-academic in nature regardless if these will be conducted outside school hours.” Likewise, Duterte stressed that teachers are not allowed to engage in community service or extracurricular activities during school hours as “these will impede the performance of their teaching work and responsibilities.” DepEd, she said, recognizes the crucial and significant role of teachers in the holistic development of learners. “In keeping with the DepEd vision of producing Filipinos who passionately love their country, and whose values and competencies enable them to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to building the nation, teachers must showcase enthusiasm in delivering the basic education programs and services to learners,” Duterte said in the DepEd Order. The issuance of the said Order, Duterte said, is also in line with the DepEd’s mission of “promoting the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culture-based, and complete basic education where teachers facilitate learning and constantly nurture every learner.” Citing Republic Act (RA) No. 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, Duterte said that the work hours of teachers are regulated “not only to give them time for the preparation and correction of exercises and other work incidental to their normal teaching duties, but also to protect and ensure their physical and mental health well-being while they serve in the front lines of DepEd in delivering its curriculum, services, and skills mastery to the holistic classroom managers and leaders.” DepEd stressed that teachers are primarily responsible for maintaining a learning-focused environment, and at the same time ensuring the welfare of the learners. “Moreover, teachers play a vital role in the care and education of the learners,” the agency said. The issuance of the said Order, Duterte noted, is even more relevant as DepEd is committed to the Basic Education Development Plan and Learning Recovery Plan. “Easing the burden of the teachers will help in the improvement of the teacher education curriculum and will promote a more conducive learning environment,” she added.