DepEd caps teaching time to 6 hours a day
THE Department of Education (DepEd) has reiterated that teachers are only required to teach six hours a day and are entitled to overload pay for up to two additional hours per day. This policy was formalized in the implementing guidelines of DepEd Order 005 series of 2024, or the Rationalization of Teachers' Workload in Public Schools and Compensation for Teaching Overload. The guidelines are listed in DepEd Memorandum 053 series of 2024, signed by Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara. "By optimizing teachers' workloads and providing fair compensation for additional duties, we are creating a more balanced and sustainable environment for our educators," Angara said. "This will ultimately enhance student learning outcomes." Under the memorandum, teachers who have fewer than six hours of actual teaching could be assigned teaching-related tasks proportional to the time available. "These guidelines ensure that teaching overloads are managed transparently, with clear procedures for compensation and equitable workload distribution," it said. Teachers performing work beyond their regular six-hour load may earn vacation service credits, which would provide additional recognition for their contributions. They will also have the flexibility in completing ancillary tasks with the option to perform them inside or outside school premises. "Importantly, no additional reporting requirements will be imposed. Instead, teachers will simply track their activities using logbooks, locator slips or certificates of undertaking," it said. To facilitate the rollout of the policies, DepEd will provide standardized templates and materials through its online platforms. An implementation team led by the assistant schools division superintendent will also oversee the policy's enforcement across all schools, ensuring compliance with the established guidelines.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
THE Department of Education (DepEd) has reiterated that teachers are only required to teach six hours a day and are entitled to overload pay for up to two additional hours per day.
This policy was formalized in the implementing guidelines of DepEd Order 005 series of 2024, or the Rationalization of Teachers' Workload in Public Schools and Compensation for Teaching Overload.
The guidelines are listed in DepEd Memorandum 053 series of 2024, signed by Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara.
"By optimizing teachers' workloads and providing fair compensation for additional duties, we are creating a more balanced and sustainable environment for our educators," Angara said. "This will ultimately enhance student learning outcomes."
Under the memorandum, teachers who have fewer than six hours of actual teaching could be assigned teaching-related tasks proportional to the time available.
"These guidelines ensure that teaching overloads are managed transparently, with clear procedures for compensation and equitable workload distribution," it said.
Teachers performing work beyond their regular six-hour load may earn vacation service credits, which would provide additional recognition for their contributions.
They will also have the flexibility in completing ancillary tasks with the option to perform them inside or outside school premises.
"Importantly, no additional reporting requirements will be imposed. Instead, teachers will simply track their activities using logbooks, locator slips or certificates of undertaking," it said.
To facilitate the rollout of the policies, DepEd will provide standardized templates and materials through its online platforms.
An implementation team led by the assistant schools division superintendent will also oversee the policy's enforcement across all schools, ensuring compliance with the established guidelines.
