Public school teachers will begin receiving compensation for teaching overload and overtime work starting this school year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Monday during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA). This landmark initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to supporting educators and enhancing the quality of the nation’s education system.
“Starting this school year, you will receive payment for your teaching overload and for your overtime,” President Marcos stated, emphasizing the critical role teachers play as the most vital pillar of the education system.
The President assured teachers that their performance would be measured not solely by the number of students who pass, but by their ability to nurture, guide, and inspire learners to achieve higher aspirations in life. “Rest assured, your excellence or performance will not be solely measured by the number of students you pass, but by the number of students you empower and inspire to raise their ambitions in life,” he affirmed.
President Marcos reiterated his administration’s ongoing efforts to alleviate the daily burdens faced by teachers. “We are continuously looking for ways to ease your daily burdens, even just a little,” he added.
The announcement builds upon significant strides made by the Marcos administration to uplift the teaching profession. These efforts include the creation of 60,000 additional teaching positions and the streamlining of administrative requirements. The President highlighted the removal of nearly 100 non-teaching documents previously required of educators, freeing up valuable time for instruction.
Furthermore, President Marcos announced plans to digitize remaining essential paperwork, allowing teachers to complete tasks online directly from their new laptops. This move, initiated by the Department of Education (DepEd) under the President’s orders, aims to further ease the administrative load and enable teachers to focus more on improving student learning outcomes.
This new compensation for overload and overtime work is a direct response to the dedication and hard work of public school teachers, acknowledging their immense contributions to national development.
