MANILA – Public school teachers in the Philippines will receive a 30-day flexible vacation from April 16 to June 1, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced. This follows the release of DepEd Order No. 9, series of 2025, allowing teachers to choose between a continuous 30-day break or a staggered schedule.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara stated that this extended break is intended to boost teacher morale and allow for much-needed rest and rejuvenation after a demanding academic year. He encouraged teachers to use this time to relax with family and return refreshed for the upcoming school year.
The initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration’s focus on improving work-life balance for educators. Key features of the new guidelines include:
- Flexible Scheduling: Teachers can opt for a continuous or staggered 30-day vacation.
- PMES Exemption: Teachers are temporarily exempt from Performance Management Evaluation System (PMES) activities during this period.
- Online IPCRF Submission: The Individual Performance Commitment and Review Form (IPCRF) can be submitted online by the end of the school year (2025-2026).
- Additional Vacation Credits: Teachers participating in approved professional development or summer programs outside the vacation period will receive additional Vacation Service Credits (VSC).
- Inclusive Policy: The guidelines encompass Alternative Learning System (ALS) teachers, those involved in Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE), and learners in mandatory summer classes (with adjusted vacation periods).
Teachers must inform their school principals of their vacation preference by April 16. This well-deserved break aims to revitalize the teaching force and ensure a productive start to the next academic year.
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