THE Department of Education (DepEd) has issued an order defining new guidelines in rationalizing the teachers’ workload and prescribing compensation for rendering overtime services.
DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara issued DepEd Order No. 005 embodying the the Implementation Guidelines for the Rationalization of Teachers’ Workload in Public Schools and Compensation for Teaching Overload.
Under the new rules, public school teachers are not required to work more than six hours a day, in accordance with the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Republic Act No. 4670). In exceptional cases where teachers exceed this six-hour limit, they will be eligible for overtime pay for up to two additional hours per day.
In instances where teachers have fewer than six hours of actual teaching, they may be assigned to other teaching-related tasks, proportionate to the time available.
The DepEd reiterated that these guidelines ensure that teaching overloads are managed transparently, with clear procedures for compensation and equitable workload distribution.
Moreover, teachers working beyond their regular six-hour duty may earn vacation service credits (VSC), providing additional recognition for their contributions.
Teachers now have a flexible time in doing their other tasks, with the option of doing it inside or outside school premises, without additional reporting requirements to be imposed. Teachers will simply track their activities using logbooks, locator slips, or certificates of undertaking.
“By optimizing teachers’ workloads and providing fair compensation for additional duties, we are creating a more balanced and sustainable environment for our educators. This will ultimately enhance student learning outcomes,” Angara explained.
To facilitate the smooth rollout of these policies, DepEd will provide standardized templates and materials through its online platforms.
An implementation team, led by the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, will oversee the policy’s enforcement across all public schools, ensuring compliance with the established guidelines.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “DepEd: Teachers not required to teach over 6 hours daily.”
