Two major teachers’ organizations on Thursday, October 23, welcomed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) decision to declare a wellness break for teachers and learners from October 27 to 30.

In separate statements, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines and the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) hailed DepEd’s move as a “hard-earned victory” for educators’ well-being and a recognition of their long-standing appeal for rest and recovery time.

In a statement issued on October 22, DepEd officially announced the health break for teachers and learners next week.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the importance of rest and recovery for both teachers and students affected by recent typhoons, earthquakes, and flu cases.

“Marami sa ating mga guro at mag-aaral ay galing sa mga lugar na tinamaan ng bagyo at lindol o may mga kaso ng trangkaso (Many of our teachers and students come from areas affected by typhoons and earthquakes or are dealing with cases of the flu),” Angara said.

“Kaya sabi nga natin, konting pahinga muna. Mas makakapagtrabaho tayo nang maayos kung maayos din ang pakiramdam natin (That’s why, as we say, let’s take a short break first. We can work better if we’re feeling well),” he added.

In a memorandum issued on the same date, DepEd declared the mid-year break from October 27 to 30 as a Wellness Break, while the In-Service Training (INSET) may be rescheduled to any remaining month of School Year 2025–2026.

The directive was signed by Undersecretary Fatima Lipp Panontongan, Chief of Staff, and OIC–Undersecretary for Learning Systems Carmela Oracion.

The TDC expressed gratitude to DepEd and to fellow teachers who supported the call for the wellness break, saying it reflects the department’s willingness to listen to the reasonable concerns of educators.

“Nararapat lamang na bigyan ang mga guro ng sapat na panahon upang makapagpahinga at makapag-ipon ng lakas — emosyonal, pag-iisip, at pisikal — lalo na ngayong napakaraming pagsubok ang kinaharap ng ating mga paaralan at komunidad (Teachers deserve enough time to rest and regain their strength — emotionally, mentally, and physically — especially now that our schools and communities have faced so many challenges),” TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas said in a statement.

“Ang wellness break ay hindi lamang simpleng kautusan; ito ay pagkilala sa aming pangangailangan bilang mga kawani at bilang mga tao. May limitasyon din ang mga guro (The wellness break is not just a simple directive; it is a recognition of our needs as staff and as human beings. Teachers have their limits too),” he added.

Basas added that the move shows DepEd’s openness to dialogue and thanked teachers nationwide for their unity and collective effort.

“Noong una nga ay marami ang nagduda na mababago pa ang utos ng DepEd (At first, many doubted that DepEd’s directive could still be changed),” Basas said.

“Pero ipinakita ng tagumpay na ito na kapag tayo ay nagsasalita, kumikilos, at nagkakaisa, tayo ay mapakikinggan at may magagandang pagbabagong magaganap (But this victory shows that when we speak up, take action, and unite, we will be heard — and meaningful changes can happen),” he added.

Meanwhile, ACT also welcomed DepEd’s announcement, describing it as a small but meaningful victory born out of teachers’ persistent advocacy for their right to rest.

“Bearing the plight of our fellow teachers on the ground, we led the call for DepEd to declare the mid-school year break for learners as a wellness break for teachers as well,” said ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo.

“The education system cannot thrive when teachers are exhausted and unwell — especially amid deplorable school conditions, recent calamities, and rising health concerns that have severely affected their physical and mental well-being,” she said. “This victory is not the result of a single plea, but of our collective action,” she added.

However, ACT stressed that the wellness break must be followed by concrete actions — particularly a higher education budget and a meaningful salary increase for teachers and education workers.

“This break is a good first step, but it cannot be where the DepEd's concern for teacher welfare ends. We need systemic changes that address the root causes of our teachers' exhaustion and stress,” Bernardo said.

The group warned that there can be no genuine wellness for teachers if their salaries remain inadequate and if the education sector continues to suffer from chronic underfunding.

“Panawagan natin ang sapat na badyet sa edukasyon na tutugon sa lahat ng kakulangan at ibigay ang matagal na nating makatwirang panawagang disente at nakabubuhay na sweldo para sa mga guro at kawani upang maibsan ang matinding hirap na dinaranas ng buong sektor (We are calling for an adequate education budget that addresses all deficiencies and fulfills our long-standing, reasonable demand for decent and livable wages for teachers and staff — to alleviate the severe hardship being endured by the entire sector),” Bernardo said.

Both TDC and ACT agreed that DepEd’s approval of the wellness break is a significant step toward promoting teachers’ mental health and well-being amid the challenges of the school year.

The four-day wellness break, they said, should serve not only as a time for rest and recovery but also as an opportunity to rebuild morale and solidarity among educators who continue to serve on the front lines of the Philippine education system.

“Tunay na deserve din nating mga guro at maging ng mga kawani ang panahong makapagpahinga lalo’t hindi naman naiibsan ang ating kalagayang ‘overworked, underpaid, at undersupported’ (We teachers — and even staff — truly deserve time to rest, especially since our condition of being ‘overworked, underpaid, and undersupported’ remains unchanged),” Bernardo said.

“We have long suffered from chronic state neglect, worsened by a pandemic and the yearly onslaught of calamities,” she added, noting that the wellness break is a “small but meaningful victory” for teachers.

“We are glad that the DepEd finally heeded our call to rest, recover, and restore our strength and morale,” she said.

TDC also assured that it will continue pushing for policies that uphold the rights, welfare, and dignity of teachers.

“Kapag binibigyan ng sapat na pangangalaga ang ating mga guro, ang mga bata at ang buong bayan ang makikinabang (When our teachers are given proper care, it’s the children and the entire nation who benefit),” Basas said. 

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