DepEd: Teachers not required to teach over six hours

After months of clamor from teachers' groups, the Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered schools not to force educators to teach more than six hours, as stated under the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.

- NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

In a memorandum signed on Sept. 27, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said teachers may render additional teaching loads but should be compensated.

"Actual teaching loads in excess of six has forced some teachers to teach subjects like mathematics and reading, even if they are not familiar with them – a situation that further burdens both teachers and students.

The group also raised the possibility of schools declaring teacher excess and transferring them to other stations.

‘Genuine’ representation

Meanwhile, teachers and education workers should support the Makabayan senatorial lineup for a “genuine” representation of the education sector in Congress, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said over the weekend.