This blog post provides a detailed explanation of the Department of Education's (DepEd) latest guidelines on granting vacation service credits (VSC) to public school teachers in the Philippines. It summarizes DepEd Order No. 013, s. 2024, issued on September 18, 2024.
What are Vacation Service Credits (VSC)?
VSCs are extra non-monetary benefits given to teachers for work performed beyond their regular hours or duties. These credits can be used to offset absences due to illness or deductions in vacation pay for personal reasons or late appointments.
Who is entitled to VSC?
All public school teachers are entitled to VSC, with some limitations:
- Incumbents: Up to 30 days per year.
- New hires:
- Appointed within 4 months of the school year: Up to 30 days.
- Appointed after 4 months: Up to 45 days (for the current year only).
- Teachers reassigned to non-teaching functions: Earn regular vacation and sick leave credits only.
Eligible Activities for VSC
Teachers can earn VSC for various activities performed outside of regular school hours, including:
- Remedial/enhancement classes (weekends, summer, Christmas break)
- Early school opening activities (Brigada Eskwela, Oplan Balik Eskwela, Enrollment)
- School sports competitions (divisional, regional, national)
- Youth formation and scouting activities (outside regular school days)
- Teaching overload not compensated by teaching overload pay (up to a certain limit)
- DepEd testing and assessment activities (outside school days)
- Trainings, seminars, and short-term DepEd projects (weekends, holidays, summer)
- Services related to teaching, learning, and development programs (School, Division, Region, National) held outside regular school days
- Services rendered before, during, and after a calamity (schools used as evacuation centers)
- Registration and election days (as mandated by law)
- Conferences with parents and home visits conducted beyond regular work hours
- Coaching, mentoring, and technical assistance by Master Teachers (outside work hours)
- Other teaching-related assignments beyond regular work hours (as defined by DepEd)
Activities NOT Eligible for VSC
Activities already compensated during regular work hours are not eligible for VSC, such as:
- In-service training programs (fully funded)
- Tasks related to exhibits at fairs
- Counseling, mentoring, and coaching of students during weekdays (within regular school hours)
- Completing forms and reports related to school opening and closing (e.g., Year-End reports, SF7)
- Tasks performed as a result of designation or reassignment (non-teaching)
- Travel time for official activities (trainings, conferences, seminars, workshops)
- Personal or government-funded research
How to Earn VSC
- Before the activity, the school head or division chief submits a written request for VSC to the Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) or Regional Director, specifying the activity, number of days, and duration.
- The SDS approves requests for school, district, and SDO-level activities, while the Regional Director approves regional-level activities. DepEd-wide activities require Undersecretary for HR&OD approval.
- After the activity, the school head submits documents like signed DTRs, accomplishment reports, attendance certificates, and approval memorandums.
- The school head consolidates and submits documents to the SDS within one month after the activity.
- HRMOs prepare a Special Order listing eligible teachers and earned VSC based on actual attendance, approved by the SDS.
- Personnel Unit records earned VSC in the employee's leave card.
Teaching Overload VSC
- Duly signed DTRs, School Form 7, Certification on Teaching Overload, and Certification of insufficiency of funds are required documents.
- HRMOs receive documents, prepare a Special Order listing eligible teachers and earned VSC, approved by the SDS.
- Personnel Unit records earned VSC in the employee's leave card.
Using and Availing VSC
- Accumulated VSC can be used for absences due to illness or offset deductions in vacation pay for personal reasons or late appointments.
- Teachers submit leave applications using the latest CS Form No. 6.
- The school head recommends approval/disapproval, followed by the Assistant SDS.
- HRMO processes the leave request and reflects accrued and used VSC on the leave form.
- For illnesses exceeding 5 days, a medical clearance/certificate or a notarized affidavit is required.
- Teachers indicate the reason for absence (illness/personal) and remarks (VSC applied/offset VSC deduction