PUBLIC school teachers will enjoy a 30-day, uninterrupted flexible vacation without school-related commitments, the Department of Education said yesterday.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the 30-day uninterrupted break will start between April 16 and June 1, 2025, “either continuously or on a staggered basis.”
“During the end-of-school-year break, teachers, including Alternative Learning System teachers, as well as learners, shall be entitled to a 60-day vacation. The 30 days of this break shall be designated as a period for teachers and learners to relax and enjoy well-deserved personal time without school-related commitments,” Angara said in an update to the existing DepEd Order No.009 series of 2024 or the Implementing Guidelines on the School Calendar and Activities for School Year 2024-2025.
“The 30-day vacation of teachers shall be implemented on a flexible basis. Teachers shall be allowed to determine the period or periods, whether on a continued or staggered basis, spread out during the school break from April 16 to June 1, 2025,” it added.
Angara said the updated guidelines highlight President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s. administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance the work-life balance of teachers and ensure they have time to rest and recharge without the burden of additional work-related responsibilities.
“This break is a well-deserved opportunity for our learners and teachers to relax after a long academic year. I hope they spend this time wisely, unwinding with their families and loved ones, and return to work energized for the new school year,” Angara added.
The updated guideline also clarified that Alternative Learning System teachers and those directly involved in teaching Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education classes are included in the 30-day vacation period.
Additionally, learners participating in mandatory summer programs will have their vacation scheduled outside the period of May 13 – June 6.
During the 30-day vacation, Angara said teachers will not be obligated to participate in any activities related to the Performance Management Evaluation System.
“They can complete and submit their electronic Individual Performance Commitment and Review Form by the end of the first month of the school year 2025-2026,” he said, adding that teachers applying for promotion may submit the required performance evaluations before the last day of classes.
While participation in professional development activities or summer training is voluntary, Angara said such events will be scheduled outside the declared vacation period.
“Teachers who engage in these activities will earn Vacation Service Credits on top of the 30-day limit,” he added.
School heads, however, are not included in the vacation benefits as they are responsible for managing the school during the break.
Teachers are allowed to visit the school or participate in activities like the May 2025 elections and sports events during their 30-day vacation.
