Never-ending challenges for teachers even during summer break: reports, remedial classes, cleaning chores, etc.

Based on the Department of Education (DepEd)’s school calendar, the last day of school year 2022-2023 is on July 7. However, end-of-the-school-year rites may be done the following week, July 10-14. The start of school year 2023-2024, unless otherwise amended, will be on Aug. 28. This means that teachers have six weeks of summer break. But alas, this may not even be possible.

One of the requirements teachers need to comply with before enjoying their break is the annual results-based performance management system (RPMS) portfolio. This is a compilation of various documents, certificates, photos, etc. which are collectively referred to as means of verification (MOV). But the list of MOV is modified yearly. This makes it challenging for teachers to have a standard set of what to prepare and what to accomplish before and during a school year. Completing this RPMS portfolio may take a week as you need to review your whole school-year activities. Some would even resort to making falsified MOV just to comply and get a good rating. This defeats the purpose of the RPMS in evaluating a teacher’s performance.

Another challenge for teachers is the conduct of summer classes for those students who failed in some learning areas. Additionally, last school year, learners who earned a grade ranging from 75 to 79 underwent enrichment classes. This may have caused some teachers to alter their computed grades and give their students satisfactory grades just for them to be free from the responsibility of reporting to school during summer. This may have been a contributing factor to mass promotion in public schools.

Then there is the annual implementation of the Brigada Eskwela program which is usually conducted a week before classes start. The main goal is to prepare schools for the opening of classes. Tasks would focus on cleaning classrooms, repairing tables and chairs, and mowing the lawn, among others. Stakeholders, including teachers and parents, are encouraged to participate in this activity.

Given all these, it makes me wonder how many weeks are left in the summer break, not to mention needing a week to prepare lessons and presentations before the resumption of classes.

DepEd should provide a comprehensive and standard list of necessary MOV before classes start. It should also be disseminated immediately to division offices to be discussed with teachers. This way, the latter will be clearly guided as to what they need to accomplish for a year.

There is also a need to revisit the curriculum to focus on what skills and competencies learners need to acquire at a certain level. Bombarding students with a myriad of lessons and competencies to master does not necessarily mean preparing them to become future-ready learners.

Teachers reporting to school and rendering services should be compensated through incentives like service credits. This may motivate them to participate more and be active in school-related tasks even during the vacation.

Teaching is indeed the noblest profession. Teachers are faced with many challenges and the system truly stresses them that they even have to sacrifice their personal time just to fulfill their calling.

Zia,

public school teacher