The Department of Education (DepEd) has released new guidelines on the payment of overtime services for public school teachers, ensuring they are fairly compensated for work rendered beyond their regular schedules.

The policy was formally announced by Education Secretary Sonny Angara during the 2025 National Teachers’ Month (NTM) Kick-Off program on September 7, in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize teachers’ welfare.

“Alam niyo po, I’ve been in the Department for a little over one year, at ‘di ko nakakalimutan ang pangunahing mga instruction ng ating mahal na Pangulo na si President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. Sabi niya (You know, I’ve been in the Department for a little over one year, and I haven’t forgotten the primary instructions of our beloved President, President Bongbong Marcos, Jr., he said): ‘Sonny, you must take care of our teachers, they are the heart of our educational system,’” Angara said.

Signed by Angara on September 6, DepEd Order No. 26, series of 2025, titled Guidelines on the Payment of Overtime Services of Teachers, guarantees just compensation for educators often required to take on responsibilities outside classroom hours, including school events, remedial classes, and administrative duties.

The policy covers all DepEd-employed teachers engaged in full-time classroom teaching, including Alternative Learning System (ALS) teachers, under permanent, substitute, or provisional appointments in public elementary and high schools, as well as Community Learning Centers (CLCs).

DepEd emphasized that overtime work will only be authorized when “extremely necessary,” particularly when tasks cannot be completed during regular hours and their non-completion would affect school operations or learner development.

Teachers are required to render eight hours of work daily—six hours for classroom teaching and two hours for ancillary tasks. While ancillary tasks may be done within or outside school premises, overtime pay will only apply to teaching-related assignments within school grounds, such as those under the School Improvement Plan (SIP) or Annual Improvement Plan (AIP).

“By ensuring fair compensation for additional work, this policy affirms our commitment to uphold the welfare, motivation, and professional dignity of teachers while promoting accountability and transparency,” DepEd said.

During the NTM kick-off, Angara also revealed that P114.39 billion has been allocated for Personnel Services under the FY 2026 National Expenditure Program, covering teachers’ salaries, benefits, and allowances.

The budget will also support the government’s target of hiring more teachers to reduce oversized classes.

Additionally, DepEd has begun releasing the P7,000 medical allowance this year, with teachers given the option to choose between an HMO package or direct cash assistance.

Educators serving in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas will be prioritized, DepEd said.

To ease the burden on public school teachers, Angara said DepEd has cut down required school forms by 57 percent, allowing teachers to focus more on actual classroom instruction.

He stressed that reducing paperwork is part of the administration’s broader education reforms to improve teachers’ working conditions.

As part of National Teachers’ Month 2025, DepEd has lined up several events, including:

- NTM on the Move: Visayas Edition on September 21 in Dumaguete City

- National Teachers’ Day celebration on October 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, expected to gather 10,000 teachers

Last year, President Marcos joined the Teachers’ Day event, honoring teachers as “modern-day heroes” for shaping the nation’s future.

Angara echoed this sentiment, assuring teachers that their welfare will remain a top priority:

“You are our heroes. You are our exemplars. You are our immortal,” he told educators during his message. 

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