Teachers Oppose DepEd’s Plan for Saturday Make-Up Classes

Teachers strongly oppose the Department of Education’s (DepEd) plan to implement Saturday make-up classes during the 2024-2025 school year adjustment period. They argue that this proposal will reduce family time and negatively impact other personal and professional development activities.

DepEd’s plan has raised numerous concerns among educators. Many teachers question whether the plan includes increasing salaries to compensate for the additional work hours. They emphasize that the plan would not efficiently or effectively address the underlying issues in the country’s education system. Instead, it would add to the workload of teachers, who are already under-compensated and overburdened.

Teachers also point out the significant impact on their physical and psychological well-being. The plan would not only mean additional work but also extend students’ hours in class. The proposal to use asynchronous classes is not viable, as not all teachers and students can access the necessary technology and internet resources.

Teachers recommend that DepEd avoid scheduling non-academic activities during the school year instead of implementing Saturday classes. The department can compensate for the lost school days by focusing on purely academic hours without overburdening teachers and students. This approach would allow educators to balance their professional responsibilities and personal lives, ultimately leading to a more effective education system.