VICE PRESIDENT and Education Secretary Sara Duterte enumerated the plans of the Department of Education to improve teachers’ welfare during the National Teachers’ Month 2023 kick-off ceremony held at Bohol Wisdom School in Tagbilaran City.

“The Department of Education’s MATATAG Agenda is not just a slogan. It is our roadmap to institutionalize reforms within the department. This includes the protection of your rights and the promotion of your welfare,” Duterte said.

To improve teachers’ financial capacity, Duterte said that DepEd is coordinating with the Government Service Insurance System to address concerns over accrued interests or arrears of teachers’ loans.

The Education chief also revealed that after the current school year, DepEd will give 30 days of uninterrupted rest to teachers to recover from school tasks.

“We make sure that in this year’s school calendar, teachers will have 30 straight days of rest during the break without any DepEd activity that requires volunteer work. On activities with voluntary participation, it will be scheduled after the 30-day break,” she noted.

With the help of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Department of Budget and Management approved the hiring of 3,500 Administrative Officers and 1,500 Project Development Officers who will be deployed in public schools to help teachers with their administrative tasks.

“Soon, you will be relieved from the administrative responsibilities that prevent you from focusing or enhancing our students’ learning,” Duterte said.