Muntinlupa teacher dies during classroom observation

A public high school teacher in Muntinlupa City died during a scheduled classroom observation renewing calls from teachers’ groups to review evaluation policies.

The Schools Division Office of Muntinlupa on Thursday confirmed the death of a teacher from Pedro E. Diaz High School, saying the teacher “lost her life while fulfilling her dedication to education.”

The division extended its condolences to the family, who they described as “a remarkable educator” and “a cherished mentor who profoundly impacted the lives of countless students and colleagues.”

In a statement, the Department of Education expressed its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and learners of the late teacher. 

"We mourn the loss of a dedicated educator and stand in solidarity with the school community during this difficult time," it said. 

The department said that the Schools Division Office is closely coordinating with the school and the family to provide immediate assistance, including psychosocial support for affected learners and personnel. 

"We are also looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident and respectfully ask the public to refrain from spreading unverified or speculative information, out of respect for the family and all those affected," DepEd said.

"We remind all field offices and schools that classroom observations are intended to reflect authentic, day-to-day teaching and learning and must be conducted in a supportive, non-intimidating manner that promotes growth and professional development, in line with existing policy under DepEd Memorandum No. 089, s. 2025," the department added.

Teachers’ groups also expressed grief and raised concerns following the incident.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) said the teacher's death was reported to have occurred during a classroom observation and called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to urgently review its classroom observation policies, which form part of the teachers’ performance rating system.

The group stressed that classroom observations should serve as a supportive and developmental process to improve teaching practice, rather than a punitive or judgmental mechanism that adds to teachers’ stress and workload.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers Philippines (ACT), for their part, called on DepEd to suspend classroom observations, particularly as teachers have just returned from a short break, and to review evaluation systems such as the Results-based Performance Management System (RPMS), which it said should be replaced with fair and teacher-centered alternatives.

Both teachers’ groups also renewed calls for improved teacher welfare, including decent and livable wages, adequate benefits, and sufficient funding for education, health, and social services. —VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News