THE SENATE has approved a measure declaring May 16 of each year as a special working day to recognize education support personnel.

The proposed National Education Support Personnel Day Act was sponsored by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

Under the proposed measure, the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education will lead the preparation and implementation of an annual program of activities for the National Education Support Personnel Day observance. Education Support Personnel refers to individuals employed in teaching-related or non-teaching positions, including teaching assistants, registrars, librarians, doctors, nurses, guidance counselors, psychologists, clerks, and others.

There are over 107,000 non-teaching staff in the Department of Education (DepEd). The Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges also reports that there are more than 63,000 support personnel across state universities and colleges.

Gatchalian emphasized that the proposed measure aligns with the celebration of World Education Support Personnel Day, observed globally since 2018. Countries such as Australia, Canada, Malta, South Africa, and the United States also celebrate the occasion.

“Nais nating ipadama sa ating mga education support personnel na mahalaga ang kanilang papel sa paghahatid ng dekalidad na edukasyon at sa pagtataguyod sa kapakanan ng ating mga mag-aaral. Ang pagdiriwang ng National Education Support Personnel Day ay magbibigay ng pagkilala para sa kanilang dedikasyon,” said Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

Gatchalian added that the proposed measure’s timeliness aligns with the removal of non-teaching tasks from teachers under DepEd Order No. 2, Series of 2024, which emphasizes the important role of support staff in the smooth operation of schools.