THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers called on the government to address the concerns raised by teachers regarding their well-being so as not to put education continuity in jeopardy.

The group stressed that the welfare of teachers should be given priority because they are the backbone of education delivery.

Signs of teacher burnout were evident in the recent nationwide online survey conducted by ACT among 6,731 public school teachers from March 29 to April 11, it said.

Survey results showed that more than 70 percent of the respondents said that  distance learning workload negatively affected their physical and mental health, with about 10 percent admitting that they fell ill.

The survey found that the 8-hour work rule was widely violated, with about 41 percent of teacher-respondents in the National Capital Region and 29 percent of those outside Metro Manila working for 9 hours to 16 hours and beyond on class days.

Teachers also spent a sizable portion of their rest days to complete their tasks, with 41 percent to 45 percent working for up to four hours on non-class days, 37 percent to 43 percent for eight hours, and 18 percent for even longer than eight hours.

Some 50 percent to 67 percent of the respondents rated as burdensome and very burdensome the various rush reports on distance learning implementation that they have to finish, as well as the voluminous requirements for the teacher evaluation system Results-based Performance Management System, and the Learning Delivery Modality course modules that teachers are required to accomplish.

The survey also showed the dismal implementation of the Department of Education order to release a monthly P300 communication expense reimbursement to teachers from March to December 2020.

About 58 percent of the respondents outside Metro Manila, and 12 percent in the National Capital Region, said that the order was not implemented at all in their schools.

The survey also revealed the reality of teachers being compelled to work outside of their homes, especially in regions outside Metro Manila.