The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines has a policy known as the “Exigency of Service”. This policy is often invoked when there is an urgent need for service, and any delay in its execution and delivery could adversely affect the outcome of the service to clients and its effective and efficient delivery. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this policy, its enforcement, and its implications for school heads.
What is Exigency of Service?
The term “exigency of service” refers to a situation where service is urgently needed. In the context of DepEd, this could mean requiring teachers to report and render services during days when they are typically not expected to work, such as Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or during the Christmas and Summer vacation.
The main reason for invoking the exigency of service is to ensure that the educational needs of students are met, even during periods when teachers are typically on leave. This is particularly relevant in situations where there is a need for teachers to complete tasks that go beyond their regular functions or beyond regular work hours/days.
When Can a School Head Enforce Exigency of Service?
A school head can enforce the exigency of service when there is an urgent need for teachers to render services beyond their regular work hours/days. However, it’s important to note that the approval of the Division Superintendent is sought before requesting teachers’ services during these days.
In some cases, teachers may be required to report to school to submit their delayed reports. However, finishing reports is one of the activities not eligible for the grant of service credits because this could have been completed by the teachers before the school year ends.
Implications of Exigency of Service
When the exigency of service is invoked, teachers are not paid additional salaries for the extra days they work. Instead, they are granted vacation service credits. This is because teachers are not entitled to the usual vacation and sick leave with pay and other special leave privileges granted to other government employees.
It’s also worth noting that the exigency of service can be invoked in the reassignment of school heads. For instance, a school head can be reassigned from one school to another in the exigency of public service. However, such reassignments should be made in good faith and within the authority of the relevant officials.
Here are several DepEd orders that mention the concept of “exigency of service”
- DepEd Order No. 53, s. 2003: This order is often invoked when teachers are required to report for work during days when they are typically not expected to, such as Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or during the Christmas and Summer vacation. In the exigency of public service, teachers may be required to report and render services, which shall be compensated with the equivalent vacation service credits.
- DepEd Order No. 49, s. 2018: This order moves the start of the Christmas vacation for learners and teachers. However, in the exigency of public service, teachers may be required to report and render services from December 16 to 22, 2018, which shall be compensated with the equivalent vacation service credits.
- DepEd Order No. 22, s. 2013: This order provides revised guidelines on the transfer of teachers from one station to another. It states that while efforts shall be exhausted to secure the consent of a teacher to be transferred, there are certain conditions which can validly be considered as “in the exigency of the service” and transfers may be made even without the consent of the teacher.
- DepEd Order No. 005 s. 2024: This order states that in exigency of service, actual classroom teaching in excess of the required six hours shall be compensated through payment of teaching overload, provided that it does not exceed two hours per day.
Conclusion
The exigency of service is a crucial policy in the DepEd’s framework, allowing for flexibility in the delivery of education services. While it places additional demands on teachers and school heads, it is a necessary measure to ensure the continuity of education in various circumstances. As such, school heads must understand this policy thoroughly to implement it effectively and fairly.