Philippines teachers face extreme workloads and administrative burdens

Educators in the Philippines are facing extreme workloads due to a heavy burden of non-academic responsibilities. Beyond classroom instruction, teachers are frequently tasked with administrative duties such as managing student health records, nutrition tracking, vaccination drives, and census surveys. This strain is exacerbated by redundant bureaucracy, including the repetitive submission of physical documents and the use of digital attendance apps that monitor movement.

Despite a recent two-day wellness break mandated by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, many teachers report that they are unable to truly disconnect. The Department of Education (DepEd) intended for the break to be free from meetings, training, and official work, with teachers remaining on paid status. However, the sense of responsibility often leads educators to continue grading and lesson planning at home.

Additional challenges include frequent disruptions to the academic calendar caused by mandatory seminars and workshops, as well as reports of chronic delays in salary payments. These factors contribute to significant financial and emotional distress among the teaching workforce.