DepEd issues new policy granting overtime pay to teachers

Just in time for the celebration of National Teachers’ Month, the Department of Education (DepEd) has released a new policy providing overtime compensation for public school teachers.

According to Bam Alegre’s report on Unang Balita on Monday, teachers will now be entitled to 125% of their hourly rate for overtime work on weekdays and 150% on weekends and holidays.

Under DepEd Order No. 26, s. 2025, these include those in the Alternative Learning System who will now be entitled to overtime pay if they work beyond their standard six-hour teaching load.

If funds are insufficient, overtime may instead be converted into Vacation Service Credits (VSC), in line with DepEd guidelines. At least two hours of overtime are required before a teacher qualifies for monetary compensation; work rendered below that threshold will be credited as vacation service.

DepEd said teachers may claim up to four hours of overtime per day. Only those with 30 classroom hours per week are eligible for the benefit.

Several teachers welcomed the policy during interviews at Pasay City West High School.

“Isang magandang way ito para at least kahit pa paano is maibsan 'yung hirap ng teacher. Maganda itong way para at least na kahit paano ma-compensate naman sila sa mga trabaho nila aside doon sa actual na ginagawa nila sa eskwelahan,” said Giovanni Sorita, a teacher.

(This is a good way to somehow ease the burden on teachers. It’s also a way to compensate them for the work they do beyond their actual teaching inside the classroom.)

“Malaking boost 'yun for the moral ng teachers because kahit papaano mabibigyan pa rin ng attention or effort 'yung overtime pay para sa mga teachers. Kasi talagang a lot of teachers is nagbibigay ng effort, nag-extend ng effort para sa mga bata, sa school works. Tapos ito nga, naglabas ng guidelines and DepEd kaya napakaganda, napakalaking boost ng moral para sa amin,” said Ricardo Cabintoy, teacher.

(This is a big boost to the morale of teachers, because it shows that overtime pay is being given attention. Many teachers exert extra effort for the students and schoolwork, and with DepEd releasing guidelines, this is truly a positive move that uplifts us.)

“At least mapapawi 'yung pagod man lang namin para sa ngayong World Teachers Day maganda pong balita po 'yan na mabayaran po kasi ang teachers po hindi naman po 'yan nananahimik na paglabas ng school hanggang bahay, hanggang sa daan iniisip namin kung ano 'yung magiging outcome ng trabaho namin sa loob ng school para sa mga bata din,” said King Alfred Sy, teacher.

(At least this will ease our exhaustion. For World Teachers’ Day, this is good news—that we will be compensated—because teachers don’t stop thinking about work even after leaving school, on the way home, and even at home, as we continue to worry about the outcome of what we do in school for the students.) 

DepEd clarified that overtime must be pre-approved by school heads or authorized officials and applies only to teaching-related assignments within schools. —Sherylin Untalan/AOL/ VAL, GMA Integrated News