SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian has commended the Department of Education for its recent decision to free teachers from non-teaching tasks.

The DepEd recently issued Department Order No. 002, which provides that teachers will no longer perform the following administrative tasks: personnel administration; property and physical facilities custodianship; general administrative support; financial management; records management; and the management of programs such as feeding, school disaster risk and reduction management, and other related programs.

In alignment with the senator’s commitment to enhancing the education sector, Gatchalian emphasized that the move recognizes the crucial role of educators and aims to streamline their responsibilities.

“This step contributes significantly to the overall improvement of the education system, potentially creating a possible ripple effect on student outcomes and the education sector’s efficiency,” Gatchalian said.

The exclusion of non-teaching tasks for public school teachers is a key provision in Gatchalian’s Revised Magna Carta for Public School Teachers or Senate Bill No. 2493.

This proposed measure also advocates for the hiring of adequate non-teaching staff who will perform administrative tasks. It mandates DepEd to fill up all non-teaching positions and determine the standard class size for each level based on international standards.

Teachers handling large classes will receive a corresponding honorarium.

Citing the findings of the Second Congressional Commission on Education titled Miseducation: The Failed System of Philippine Education, Gatchalian highlighted that despite efforts to alleviate teachers’ workloads, they continue to bear the burden of about 50 administrative and ancillary tasks.

“Mahalagang hakbang ang pag-aalis ng mga non-teaching tasks sa ating mga guro upang matiyak na matututukan na nila ang pagtuturo sa ating mga mag-aaral. Gayundin, ang Revised Magna Carta for Public School Teachers ay magtataguyod sa kapakanan ng ating mga guro,” said Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.