In a significant move towards improving the education system, the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines has recently implemented changes to alleviate the administrative burden on teachers. This initiative is part of Vice President Sara Duterte’s Matatag education agenda, aimed at enhancing the teaching and learning environment in the country.
According to Department Order 002-2024, issued on Friday and signed by Vice President Duterte herself, various administrative tasks previously assigned to teachers have now been removed. These tasks include personnel administration, property and physical facilities custodianship, general administrative support, financial management, records management, and program management. The order emphasizes that this removal does not compromise the teachers’ ancillary tasks as defined by other DepEd issuances.
The order specifically states that School Heads and non-teaching personnel will now have the sole responsibility for performing the administrative tasks that were previously assigned to teachers. School division offices have been given the authority to cluster non-teaching personnel based on the deployment parameters set by the Bureau of Human Resources and Organizational Development. They can either hire contract of service or job order personnel, charging their expenses against the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses or other alternative sources of funding to meet the personnel requirements in schools.
As part of the transition process, schools without existing or sufficient non-teaching personnel may be clustered by school division offices within a period not exceeding 60 days. Each cluster will consist of a maximum of three schools. Additionally, school division offices are required to deploy administrative support personnel to perform administrative tasks for the clustered schools and transfer existing administrative tasks to ensure a smooth transition.
Vice President Duterte emphasized that this Department Order aims to remove non-teaching tasks from teachers’ responsibilities in order to provide them with better support and create a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning. By relieving teachers of administrative burdens, they can focus more on their core role of educating students.
The order took effect immediately upon its approval, issuance, and publication on the DepEd website. This swift implementation demonstrates the commitment of the Department of Education to prioritize the well-being and professional growth of teachers.
These changes in administrative tasks for teachers are a significant step towards improving the education system in the Philippines. By streamlining responsibilities and ensuring that teachers can focus on their primary role of teaching, the DepEd is creating an environment that fosters effective education. This move aligns with international efforts to enhance the teaching profession and recognizes the importance of supporting educators in their crucial role of shaping the future generation.
In conclusion, the Department of Education’s decision to remove administrative tasks from teachers’ workload marks a positive development in the Philippine education system. By relieving teachers of these responsibilities, the DepEd is empowering them to concentrate on their core duty of teaching, ultimately benefiting students and fostering a more conducive learning environment. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to providing quality education and supporting the professional growth of teachers.
Source: The Manila Times
