DepEd gives teachers 30-day break as school year ends

[Lee]

As School Year 2024-2025 ends, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Monday that teachers will be granted an ”uninterrupted and flexible” vacation for 30 days without having to deal with school-related tasks over the coming weeks.

Based on DepEd's updated guidelines, teachers will be allowed to schedule their 30-day break between April 16 and June 1, 2025, either continuously or on a staggered basis. 

Included in the revised order are teachers from the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and those directly involved in teaching Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) classes.

Meanwhile, learners who need to attend mandatory summer programs will have their vacation scheduled outside the May 13 to June 6 period.

SY 2024-2025 was set from July 29, 2024, to April 15, 2025, and the next academic year will begin on June 16, 2025, and end on March 31, 2026.

During their 30-day vacation, teachers will not be obligated to participate in any activities related to the Performance Management Evaluation System (PMES).

They can also complete and submit their electronic Individual Performance Commitment and Review Form (eIPCRF) by the end of the first month of the SY 2025-2026.

Teachers who are applying for promotion may also submit the required performance evaluations before the last day of classes.

DepEd also emphasized that while participation in professional development activities or summer training is voluntary, these events will be scheduled outside their vacation period.

Teachers who engage in these activities will also earn vacation service credits in addition to the 30-day limit.

Teachers will also be allowed to visit the school or participate in activities like the May 2025 elections and sports events, during their vacation.

“This break is a well-deserved opportunity for our learners and teachers to relax after a long academic year. I hope they spend this time wisely, unwinding with their families and loved ones, and return to work energized for the new school year,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement.

School heads, on the other hand, are not included in the vacation benefits as they are responsible for managing the school during the break, according to DepEd.

They are, however, entitled to vacation and sick leave credits during the said period. –NB, GMA Integrated News

https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/deped-gives-teachers-30-day-break-as-school-year-ends/ar-AA1CrpYO?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=9b72550e08f34a68e03d0d4d300d6361&ei=12

[graham59]

Well, as long as drumming and dancing practice isn't adversely affected. 

Bear in mind that the kids have only been going to the public schools for half days anyway, these past few 'hot' weeks.  

Must have been a terrible strain on the teachers. Poor loves.  

 

[Mike J]

We have a neighbor who is a math teacher.  The school where she teaches, Cebu City, is so crowded the school day is split into to sessions (early and late).  She teaches both sessions so she teaches three days a week, following week is two days.  The alternate/paired teacher fills the days she is not there.  Long days for both teachers but also long weekends.  She tells me there are not enough desks for the kids in her class even with the split shifts for the students.  I feel sorry and frustrated for kids here.  Difficult to gain a quality education when the system has inadequate curriculum, is understaffed, and lacks classrooms and materials.  

[Tommy T.]

And I know I've said this before but, even with so many holidays and lack of teaching days, L is overloaded filling out all kinds of reports that are usually emergencies and probably not even looked at by anyone. She also told me that this same policy was in place last year with leave for 30 days available with no obligations during those times.

Two weeks ago the Friday was a day off for students - I think it was report card day. Last week Monday was a holiday and yesterday was another holiday.

Also according to L, the students' grades have already been calculated, however they are currently taking some sort of exams until the 18th - last day of school - that have no bearing on their grades. What?

She also just told me today that this coming Monday is another holiday?

Edited April 12, 2025 by Tommy T.
Additional Info

[Gator]

2 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

L is overloaded filling out all kinds of reports that are usually emergencies and probably not even looked at by anyone.

Same with my wife. Lots of seemingly unnecessary paperwork plus designing and printing out about 90 - 100 various award certificates for the students she advises (most seem like “participation certificates”, lol). 
 

2 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

Two weeks ago the Friday was a day off for students - I think it was report card day. Last week Monday was a holiday and yesterday was another holiday.

Same here. Except she had to work on that Friday and Monday as well. She is also the “Bids and Awards Financial Chairman”and had quite a bit of accounting work to do (not supposed to done by a teacher but like most schools they are short staffed). At least she gets service credits for those days. Grades are supposed to be submitted to the students advisors 5-6 days before the end of the school year to be compiled into their report cards. 
 

2 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

Also according to L, the students' grades have already been calculated, however they are currently taking some sort of exams until the 18th - last day of school - that have no bearing on their grades. What?

Same as far the calculation of grades. But some students in wife’s school just showing up and doing nothing except Tikity Tock vids and watching tv or just lounging around chatting. Many students were given excused absences and just stayed home. My 17 year old niece is lazy and doesn’t want to work on the family farm, so she’s been going to school every day and hanging out with her gf’s, lol. 
 

 

2 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

leave for 30 days available with no obligations during those times

Despite that, last year the wife was forced to attend various bull cookie seminars and perform a few other school related functions. This year she told the principal not to bother to msg her and if he does she will send a copy of the policy to him then block his number, lol. As she is the sole person allowed to “Encash” (cash) checks at the bank she told him to plan ahead or pay out of his own pocket until she’s back. Actually what they’ve done, and would do, is go to a wealthy businessman in town who is also a 5/6 lender and borrow from him. 

Edited April 11, 2025 by Gator

[Mike J]

A few years back one of the local schools had Saturday classes for students who needed extra help.  I drove by the school one Saturday late morning and all the kids were sweeping and doing yard work.  Seemed more like punishment than help to me.

[hk blues]

5 hours ago, Mike J said:

A few years back one of the local schools had Saturday classes for students who needed extra help.  I drove by the school one Saturday late morning and all the kids were sweeping and doing yard work.  Seemed more like punishment than help to me.

Probably no teachers to do the lessons.

[Gator]

6 hours ago, Mike J said:

A few years back one of the local schools had Saturday classes for students who needed extra help.  I drove by the school one Saturday late morning and all the kids were sweeping and doing yard work.  Seemed more like punishment than help to me.

Likely show up, get extra credit and pass that grade. Schools don’t want to hold back lazy and dumb kids a grade as it makes the school look bad.

It’s the same at the wife’s school. Teachers and advisors will get together and decide to give passing scores (75-80) and move the kids up a grade. In at least her school about the only kids they completely fail are the ones who seldom show up for class or drop out. They can justify that with the Department of Education without it reflecting badly on the school as long as they document / log calls and attempts to get the kid to show up. 

[Mike J]

2 hours ago, hk blues said:

Probably no teachers to do the lessons.

Or doing Facebook on their phone? 

[hk blues]

3 hours ago, Gator said:

Likely show up, get extra credit and pass that grade. Schools don’t want to hold back lazy and dumb kids a grade as it makes the school look bad.

It’s the same at the wife’s school. Teachers and advisors will get together and decide to give passing scores (75-80) and move the kids up a grade. In at least her school about the only kids they completely fail are the ones who seldom show up for class or drop out. They can justify that with the Department of Education without it reflecting badly on the school as long as they document / log calls and attempts to get the kid to show up. 

In all my years in school in Scotland, there was never, and I mean never, a case where a student did not progress to the next year.  It just wasn't part of the system - I'm pretty sure there was no possibility to hold a student back.