Teaching is a noble profession that shapes the character, caliber, and future of individuals. However, it can also be a demanding job. To ensure that teachers can perform their duties effectively without being overwhelmed, certain guidelines and procedures have been put in place. This blog post will delve into these guidelines, focusing on streamlining the teaching workload.
The Basics of Teaching Workload
A public school teacher is required to render eight hours of work per day. This time is divided into six hours of actual classroom teaching and two hours allocated for ancillary tasks. These ancillary tasks can be performed either within or outside the school premises. Importantly, teachers are not required to submit any documentary evidence or accomplishment reports on how these two hours are spent outside school premises.
In a week, a teacher must be able to render thirty hours of actual classroom teaching and ten hours of ancillary tasks.
Understanding Teaching Load
In completing the six hours per day or thirty hours per week devoted to actual classroom teaching, certain parameters are observed:
For Teachers
Teachers are expected to render six hours of actual classroom teaching, and the remaining two hours are allotted to ancillary tasks incidental to the teacher’s normal teaching duties.
For Master Teachers (MT)
Master Teachers, like their counterparts, are also expected to render six hours of actual classroom teaching, and the remaining two hours are allotted to ancillary tasks incidental to the teacher’s normal teaching duties. However, if Master Teachers are designated as class advisers, this task forms part of the six hours of actual classroom teaching. Furthermore, coaching, mentoring, and providing technical assistance to colleagues are treated as ancillary tasks and are compensated with Voluntary Service Credit (VSC) if performed beyond the 8-hour workday.
Ancillary Tasks
Class advising duties are considered part of the ancillary tasks of teachers and are treated as a teaching load equivalent to one hour per day or five hours a week. This time includes the prescribed time for the Homeroom Guidance Program (HGP).
Remediation and/or enhancement classes are also treated as a teaching load. The allotted time and other procedural guidelines for these classes are in accordance with other DepEd issuances.
Additional Guidelines
Program-based strategies, approaches, or interventions intended to strengthen the skills and competencies of learners conducted during the allotted time per learning area do not account for an additional teaching load.
Teachers designated as Teacher-in-Charge (TIC) are considered school heads. The designation of TIC is supported by a duly signed designation order from the Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) specifying duties and functions, authority, accountability, and responsibility. Hence, TICs are relieved of teaching and other related duties and perform fully the function of a school head. However, in the exigency of service, TICs may be given teaching loads on the condition that all teachers in the school have been assigned the maximum teaching overload of two hours. The teaching load of TICs forms part of their regular work hours.
The Alternative Learning System (ALS) and Special Needs Education (SNED) teachers are also expected to observe the prescribed work hours for teachers.
Lastly, School Heads are responsible for ensuring that the teaching load is equitably and fairly distributed among teachers.
In conclusion, these guidelines and procedures aim to streamline the teaching workload, ensuring that teachers can focus on their primary duty of imparting knowledge while also maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It is a step towards acknowledging the hard work of our educators and ensuring their well-being.
Read DepEd Order No. 005, S. 2024 HERE.