The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday, September 10, reminded all public school teachers that overtime work must be pre-approved and rendered only when absolutely necessary.

In a statement, DepEd said the directive aims to ensure proper monitoring of teachers’ workloads, prevent burnout, and align extra work with official guidelines, emphasizing efficiency and accountability in the delivery of educational services.

In line with President Marcos’ call for improved teacher compensation, the department issued DepEd Order No. 26, s. 2025, which sets the Guidelines on the Payment of Overtime Services of Teachers.

DepEd said the policy ensures that public school teachers who go beyond their six-hour teaching load will now be compensated for their overtime work. The policy applies to all full-time DepEd-employed teachers, including those in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) under permanent, substitute, and provisional appointments.

“Teachers are reminded that overtime must be pre-approved by the school head or an authorized official and rendered only when strictly necessary,” DepEd said.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative underscores the department’s commitment to valuing teachers’ sacrifices and aligns with the President’s push to provide additional support and benefits.

“Mahalaga para sa Kagawaran na mabigyan ng sapat na kompensasyon ang ating mga guro—lalo na kapag sila ay naglalaan ng dagdag na oras sa ating mga paaralan (It is important for the Department to provide adequate compensation to our teachers—especially when they dedicate extra hours to our schools),” Angara said.

“Tugon natin ito sa panawagan ni PBBM na tiyaking may dagdag na benepisyo at kompensasyon ang ating mga guro (This is our response to President Bongbong Marcos’ call to ensure that our teachers receive additional benefits and compensation),” he added.

The guidelines specify that overtime pay applies only to teaching-related assignments performed within schools, ensuring that extra hours spent in service of learners are properly recognized and rewarded.

“Teachers will be compensated at 125 percent of their hourly rate for overtime rendered on regular workdays, and at 150 percent for services rendered on weekends, holidays, and special non-working days,” DepEd said.

Furthermore, DepEd clarified that during weekdays, at least two (2) hours of overtime will be granted monetary compensation. Less than two hours will be converted into Vacation Service Credits (VSC). During weekends, holidays, and special non-working days, up to four (4) hours of overtime will be compensated monetarily, with any excess converted into VSC.

DepEd said this latest issuance builds on reforms introduced last year when Angara signed DepEd Memorandum No. 53, s. 2024, which set out concrete implementation guidelines for DO 5, s. 2024.

“The Order streamlined the rationalization of teachers’ workloads in public schools and the payment of teaching overloads,” DepEd said. “These measures aim to foster a more supportive work environment by ensuring that teachers are fairly compensated for additional responsibilities,” it added.

Meanwhile, Angara thanked the President for making education—especially the welfare of teachers—one of his highest priorities.

“Patuloy nating isusulong ang mga makabuluhang inisyatiba upang higit pang iangat ang dignidad at kapakanan ng ating mga guro (We will continue to advance meaningful initiatives to further uplift the dignity and welfare of our teachers),” he added.

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