THE TEACHERS’ Dignity Coalition called on the Department of Education to impose a uniform working hour for teachers as it received reports that some teachers are required to render more than six hours or stay and work in the school beyond eight hours.

The group said that these schools violate the DepEd policies. It demanded the education agency to order its field officials to abide by the rules set forth by the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, Civil Service Commission Resolutions and several DepEd issuances.

“Nasa fourth week pa lang tayo mula nung nagbukas ang klase pero sobrang pagod na ang nararamdaman ng mga guro. Hindi na magkandaugaga sa napakamaring paperwork, reports at online tasks maliban pa sa face-to-face classes,” Benjo Basas, the group’s national chairperson, said.

Basas revealed that many teachers reported excessive workload and longer hours of teaching.

“Malinaw naman ang polisiya ng DepEd alinsunod sa resolusyon ng CSC sa pagpapatupad ng Magna Carta, hindi dapat lalampas ng anim na oras ang turo ng bawat guro at ang dalawang oras na laan sa paghahanda sa klase at iba pang gawain ay maaaring iuwi o dalhin kahit saan. Pero bakit inaabot ng siyam na oras ang mga guro sa paaralan, gayong dapat ay makauwi na sila matapos ang anim na oras lamang?” Basas said.

In 2008, the CSC issued Resolution 080096 ordering the DepEd to release guidelines on the “Six-Hour Workday.” However, the DepEd failed to implement the resolution.