A group of teachers has expressed support for the recent Department of Education (DepEd) initiative to streamline and improve the classroom observation system, making it more humane, purposeful, and teacher-friendly.

In a statement issued January 12, Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) National Chairperson Benjo Basas highlighted the significance of DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara’s remarks, saying they open the door for a thorough review of the current policy.

“Sang-ayon kami sa pahayag ng DepEd na aayusin at pasisimplehin ang classroom observation, sapagkat hindi naman ito dapat maging pabigat sa mga guro, gaya ng nagiging kalakaran ngayon na nakapagdudulot pa ng labis na pressure sa ating mga guro (We agree with DepEd’s statement that classroom observation will be streamlined and simplified, as it should not be a burden to teachers, unlike the current practice which creates excessive pressure),” Basas said.

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Basas clarified that TDC’s goal is not to abolish classroom observation but to ensure it is simple, natural, and meaningful—without becoming an added teacher workload.

He noted that the current practice often places unnecessary pressure on teachers, unlike the previous Performance Appraisal System for Teachers (PAST), which made classroom observations more relaxed and effective.

“Sa mga nakaraang panahon, sa dating sistema ng performance rating ng mga guro, hindi naging suliranin ang classroom observation dahil payak at natural lamang itong naisasagawa (In past years, under the old teacher performance rating system, classroom observation was never a problem because it was carried out simply and naturally),” Basas explained.

“Mas relax ang mga guro at mas natututo ang mga bata noon (Teachers were more relaxed then, and students learned more). Hindi tulad ngayon na napakaraming hinihingi sa mga guro na kadalasan ay hindi sumasalamin sa tunay na pangangailangan at kalagayan ng ating mga pampublikong paaralan (Unlike today, where teachers face excessive demands that often do not reflect the real needs of public schools),” he added.

In light of this, TDC is urging DepEd to temporarily suspend classroom observations while conducting wider consultations with teachers.

“Bilang isang hakbang ng pagpapakita at pagpaparamdam ng malasakit, makabubuting ipagpaliban muna ang mga naka-schedule na classroom observation at huwag nang sundan ang mga gurong nakatapos na ng isang obserbasyon ngayong school year (As a gesture of care, it would be better to postpone scheduled classroom observations and not require teachers who have already completed one observation this school year to undergo another),” he added.

TDC noted that under the current policy, each teacher is required to undergo two classroom observations per school year.

The group also emphasized the need to expand medical and healthcare support for teachers, including free hospitalization, as part of comprehensive teacher welfare programs.

TDC expressed hope for a positive response from DepEd, requesting formal dialogue to ensure reforms genuinely address teachers’ concerns.

“Nitóng mga nakalipas na, naging matugon ang DepEd sa hinaing ng mga guro, kaya sa pagkakataong ito ay umaasa kaming muli na mapagbibigyan ang aming kahilingan (In recent times, DepEd has been responsive to teachers’ concerns, so this time we are hopeful that our request will be granted),” Basas said. 

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