Teachers’ groups on Thursday, January 8, expressed deep condolences over the untimely passing of a teacher in Muntinlupa City and called for urgent reforms to protect the welfare of educators nationwide.

In separate statements, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers – Philippines (ACT) and the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) mourned the death of Agnes Buenaflor, a dedicated educator at Pedro E. Diaz High School.

TDC highlighted Buenaflor’s decades-long commitment to guiding students and advancing public education.

“We honor her dedication and commitment to learners and to public education, as we join her family, friends, colleagues, and students in mourning her untimely passing,” the group said. “This tragic loss underscores the urgent need for humane, supportive, and truly developmental policies that uphold teachers’ well-being, professional trust, and dignity,” TDC added.

TDC also emphasized the need for a compassionate review of classroom observation policies, which are currently tied to teachers’ performance ratings. The coalition stressed that these observations should be developmental and supportive rather than punitive and warned against adding unnecessary stress to trained professionals.

In light of the circumstances surrounding the incident—reported to have occurred during a scheduled classroom observation—TDC reiterated its call on the Department of Education (DepEd) to urgently review its policies on classroom observations as an integral part of the teachers’ performance rating system.

“Classroom observations, while conducted periodically, must be implemented primarily as a supportive and developmental process aimed at improving pedagogy—not as a punitive or judgmental mechanism to determine a teacher’s worth or capability,” TDC said.

“Teachers, especially seasoned ones, are trained professionals who should not be made to repeatedly prove their competence under conditions that may unduly add to their stress and workload,” the group added.

Similarly, ACT Philippines expressed solidarity with Buenaflor’s family, colleagues, and students.

“Kaisa kami sa pagdadalamhati sa pagpanaw ng isang butihing guro gaya ni Ma'am Agnes na puno ng dedikasyon at pagsisikap na maghatid ng de-kalidad na edukasyon sa kanyang mga mag-aaral (We join in mourning the passing of a good teacher like Ma’am Agnes, who was full of dedication and effort in delivering quality education to her students),” ACT said.

The group noted that many teachers, like Buenaflor, endure sleepless nights and exhaustion to prepare themselves and demonstrate excellence in teaching. “Marahil ay isa sa mga dahilan ng pagbagsak ng kaniyang katawan at kalaunang pagpanaw (This may have contributed to the decline of her health and, ultimately, to her passing),” ACT added.

ACT also highlighted the heavy workload teachers face, including repeated class observations, urgent reports, and other performance requirements, which they said can compromise both health and teaching quality.

“Hindi lingid sa ating kaalaman ang bigat ng trabahong pasan ng mga guro sa kabila ng kapos na sweldo, benepisyo at suporta (It is no secret to us the heavy burden carried by teachers despite meager salaries, benefits, and support),” ACT said.

The group added that, on top of this, teachers are also subject to standards and requirements imposed to measure the quality of their performance—such as class observations, preparation, and submission of immediate, repetitive, and labor-intensive reports—which also serve as the basis for benefits and promotion.

“Pinaninindigan ng ACT na ang mga rekisitong ito ay labis, hindi makatao, at umaagaw ng panahon at lakas ng mga guro para sa pagtuturo na pangunahin nitong responsibilidad (ACT maintains that these requirements are excessive, inhumane, and rob teachers of the time and energy needed for their primary responsibility: teaching),” the group said.

ACT also called for an immediate review of the Results-Based Performance Management System (RPMS) and the adoption of teacher-centered, fair, and meaningful evaluation methods.

The group further reiterated calls for adequate salaries, benefits, and increased funding for education, health, and social services, emphasizing that teachers are human beings, not machines.

“Nawa'y magsilbing paalala ang buhay ni Ma'am Agnes Buenaflor, na ang mga guro ay mga tao, at hindi makina (May the life of Ma’am Agnes Buenaflor serve as a reminder that teachers are human beings, not machines),” ACT said.

“At walang ibang panahon kung hindi ngayon upang bigyang-pansin ng gobyerno at kagawaran, ang tunay na kalagayan ng mga guro ng bayan (And there is no other time but now for the government and the department to pay attention to the true condition of the nation’s teachers),” the group added.

Buenaflor’s passing has sparked a nationwide conversation on the conditions faced by educators and underscores the need for humane, supportive policies that safeguard teachers’ dignity and well-being.