Home » Issuances » DepEd Order » DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2023: Teachers and Their Involvement in Volunteer and Extracurricular Activities

DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2023: Teachers and Their Involvement in Volunteer and Extracurricular Activities

The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines recently issued DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2023, which addresses the participation of teachers in volunteer work and extracurricular activities. This order aims to empower teachers and enhance the educational system by clarifying the expectations and limitations of their involvement in various activities outside their regular teaching duties. This article will analyze the content of the order and its implications for educators and education professionals working in the Philippine basic education sector.

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Understanding DepEd’s Vision and Mission

DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2023, reflects the Department’s commitment to promoting quality, equitable, and culture-based basic education for all Filipinos. The involvement of teachers in non-teaching activities has significant ramifications for both their performance and the overall quality of education delivered in the country’s schools.

The holistic development of learners—ensuring their complete growth in knowledge, skills, values, and ability to contribute meaningfully to society—is a paramount goal of the DepEd. To achieve this, teachers must be fully supported in their professional roles and protected from undue burdens and physical and mental health risks.

The Magna Carta for Public School Teachers

Teachers need ample time to focus on their teaching responsibilities and create a conducive learning environment for their students. Therefore, limiting their involvement in non-academic activities is crucial. The DepEd Order references Republic Act (RA) No. 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, which regulates teacher work hours to ensure their well-being and to allow sufficient time for essential tasks such as lesson planning and grading.

The Importance of the Teacher’s Role in the Classroom

Teachers play a vital role in creating a learner-centered environment that supports holistic development. As classroom managers and leaders, they must maintain a conducive learning environment while also ensuring the welfare of their students. Overburdening them with non-teaching tasks can compromise their ability to deliver quality education effectively.

In the context of the Philippine Basic Education Development Plan and the Learning Recovery Plan, easing the burden on teachers is an important goal. It will promote a better learning atmosphere and improve the teacher education curriculum.

Key Provisions of the DepEd Order

Given the critical role of teachers in the education system, DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2023, provides that teachers can decline invitations to community events and other non-teaching or non-academic services. The order further states that teachers are not allowed to engage in community service or extracurricular activities during school hours, which could negatively affect their teaching performance.

This policy change empowers teachers and reaffirms their commitment to the learners’ holistic development. By granting them the autonomy to determine their involvement in non-teaching tasks, the DepEd ensures they can dedicate their full attention and energy to their primary responsibilities.

Implications for Educators and Education Professionals

The issuance of DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2023, has several implications for educators and education professionals in the Philippines:

  1. A renewed focus on teaching: By limiting the scope of non-teaching responsibilities, educators can concentrate more on their primary duties and deliver effective instruction, thus benefiting learners.
  2. Promoting teacher well-being: Reducing the burden of extracurricular and volunteer work helps maintain teachers’ mental and physical health and ensures they remain motivated and engaged in their profession.
  3. Professional development: As teachers gain more time to attend to their core responsibilities, they also have more opportunities for professional development through conferences, workshops, and further study.

Conclusion

DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2023, marks a significant step in acknowledging the vital role of teachers in the Philippine education system and reinforcing their commitment to the holistic development of their students. By clarifying the expectations and limitations of teacher involvement in volunteer work and extracurricular activities, the DepEd aims to improve the quality of education and maintain a conducive, learner-centered environment in schools. Educators and education professionals need to embrace this change, upholding the values and goals of the Philippine Department of Education.

Full Text Content of DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2023

DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2023 addresses the participation of teachers in volunteer work and extracurricular activities in the Philippines. Issued by the Department of Education (DepEd), this order seeks to empower teachers by clarifying the expectations and limitations of their involvement in non-teaching tasks. It aims to improve the quality of education and create a learner-centered environment in schools by allowing educators to focus on their primary responsibilities.

The following is the full-text content of DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2023:

March 28, 2023

DepEd Order No. 8, 2023

PARTICIPATION OF TEACHERS IN VOLUNTEER WORK AND EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The Department of Education (DepEd) recognizes the crucial and significant role of teachers in the holistic development of learners. In keeping with the DepEd vision of producing Filipinos who passionately love their country, and whose values and competencies enable them to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to building the nation, teachers must showcase enthusiasm in delivering the basic education programs and services to learners. This is also in accordance with the DepEd’s mission of promoting the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culture-based, and complete basic education where teachers facilitate learning and constantly nurture every learner.

Republic Act (RA) No. 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers regulates the work hours of teachers not only to give them time for the preparation and correction of exercises and other work incidental to their normal teaching duties, but also to protect and ensure their physical and mental health well-being while they serve in the front lines of DepEd in delivering its curriculum, services, and skills mastery to the holistic classroom managers and leaders. Teachers are primarily responsible for maintaining a learning-focused environment, and at the same time ensuring the welfare of the learners. Moreover, teachers play a vital role in the care and education of the learners. This is even more relevant as DepEd is committed to the Basic Education Development Plan and Learning Recovery Plan. Easing the burden of the teachers will help in the improvement of the teacher education curriculum and will promote a more conducive learning environment. As such, it is imperative for the DepEd to issue this Order to ensure that teachers are not burdened with non-work related matters.

In view of the above, the DepEd issues this Order to empower our teachers and make it clear that they have the option to say no to invitations to community events and/or requests to render community service that are non-teaching or non-academic in nature regardless if these will be conducted outside school hours.

Teachers are not allowed to engage in community service or extracurricular activities during school hours as these will impede the performance of their teaching work and responsibilities.

This order shall take effect immediately upon its approval, issuance, and publication on the DepEd website. Certified copies of this Order shall be registered with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) at the University of the Philippines Law Center (UP LC), UP Diliman, Quezon City.

Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed.

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Mark Anthony Llego

Mark Anthony Llego, from the Philippines, has significantly influenced the teaching profession by enabling thousands of teachers nationwide to access essential information and exchange ideas. His contributions have enhanced their instructional and supervisory abilities. Moreover, his articles on teaching have reached international audiences and have been featured on highly regarded educational websites in the United States.

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