Citing concerns over heavy workloads, inadequate rest periods, and extreme weather conditions, a teachers' group has called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement "teacher-friendly" reforms in the 2025-2026 school calendar.
The Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC), in a statement, reiterated its call for reforms to ensure a more sustainable and teacher-friendly schedule for the upcoming school year.
Emphasizing the need for adjustments that prioritize educators' well-being and improve overall teaching conditions, TDC said that it has submitted five key proposals to DepEd to enhance the system.
TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas, who is also a teacher from Caloocan City, said in a letter to DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara that these recommendations aim to improve education quality while safeguarding the well-being of both teachers and students.
One of the proposals includes adding buffer days to the school calendar to allow for adjustments in case of unforeseen events, such as natural disasters or class suspensions.
TDC explained that this measure would enable schools to meet the required number of class days without overburdening teachers and students with excessive make-up sessions.
The group is also advocating for periodic health breaks of at least two days at the end of each quarterly examination.
These scheduled breaks, TDC stressed, will help “prevent burnout and support the physical and mental well-being of both teachers and learners.”
Another recommendation is to shorten the duration of in-service training (INSET), which is usually conducted for a week, to a maximum of three days.
TDC emphasized that professional development activities should be “more focused and efficient,” ensuring that teachers can enhance their skills without sacrificing much-needed rest and personal time.
The group is also calling for an end to Saturday activities, such as meetings with parents or card distribution.
TDC noted that teachers should be “given their legally mandated weekends off to recover from their weekly workload,” stressing that adequate rest is essential for maintaining their effectiveness in the classroom.
Meanwhile, TDC welcomed DepEd's decision to adopt flexibility in the mandatory one-month vacation for teachers—one of the proposals included in their recommendations.
TDC expressed its appreciation for this development.
“This flexibility ensures that teachers can properly rest and recharge without compromising their responsibilities,” Basas said, citing the approval in principle of this recommendation after a meeting with DepEd Undersecretary Wilfredo Cabral.
TDC, along with other teacher organizations, participated in a consultative meeting with Undersecretary Cabral last week to discuss urgent concerns affecting educators.
The group remains hopeful that DepEd will consider and implement these proposals in the official school calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year.
“We hope that DepEd will maintain an open dialogue with stakeholders, especially teachers, to create a more balanced school calendar that prioritizes both the welfare of teachers and the learning conditions of students,” Basas said.