DepEd reminds teachers: No extracurricular, volunteer works during school hours

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has reminded teachers that volunteering and extracurricular activities during school hours will interfere with their primary obligations.

DepEd issued the reminder under Order No. 08, released on Wednesday, stating that teachers can decline invitations to community events or community service that are non-teaching and non-academic.

“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,” the order read.

“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,” it added.

In its order, DepEd cited Republic Act No. 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, which regulates teachers’ work hours to give them time for preparing and correcting exercises.

According to the agency, the law also protects and ensures teachers’ physical and mental health well-being since they are primarily responsible for “maintaining a learning-focused environment and ensuring the welfare of learners.”

“Easing the burden of the teachers will help in the improvement of the teacher education curriculum and will promote a more conducive learning environment,” the DepEd said.

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JPV/abc