Why teachers deserve a 30-day break in June
Teachers are often considered as the backbone of the education system, as they play a vital role in shaping the minds and hearts of the learners. However, being a teacher is not an easy task, especially in the Philippines, where they face various challenges, such as heavy workloads, inadequate resources, and congested curricula.
That is why the Department of Education (DepEd) has decided to give the teachers a 30-day unhampered break in June, as part of its efforts to improve the quality and performance of the country’s basic education. According to DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas, this break will allow the teachers to have uninterrupted time to rest and recharge after the end of the current school year.
Bringas explained that in the past, the teachers still had to attend or conduct DepEd-initiated activities during the summer season or the two-month break, which reduced their time to relax and enjoy their vacation. He said that this break will also benefit the students, who often get tired and bored by the overcrowded curriculum.
He added that this break will not have a negative impact on the country’s performance in international assessments, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), where the Philippines ranked low in the previous rounds. He said that this break might even help improve the results, as the teachers will be more refreshed and motivated to teach better.
The 30-day break is part of DepEd’s Department Order 003, which also sets the end of the school year 2023-2024 earlier than scheduled, to gradually shift back to the old school calendar with April-May as the summer vacation. The current school year will end on May 31, 2024, while the next school year will start on July 29, 2024 and end on May 16, 2025.
DepEd projects that by the school year 2026-2027, the start of classes will revert back to mid-June, with the school break beginning by the first week of April.
This move by DepEd is a welcome gesture of appreciation and recognition for the teachers, who have been working hard and sacrificing a lot for the sake of the learners. It is also a way of promoting the well-being and welfare of the teachers, who deserve to have a work-life balance and a quality time with their families and friends.
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