DepEd declares wellness break from Oct. 27-30, 2025

The Department of Education (DepEd) has declared a mid-school year wellness break for both teachers and learners from Oct. 27 to 30, 2025 to give schools some leeway to pause classes as well as enough time for teachers to recover before holding their midyear In-Service Training (INSET).

“Sa linggo-linggo nating pagbisita sa mga paaralan, naririnig namin ang panawagan ng ating mga guro. Minabuti na natin na mabigyan sila ng oras para magpahinga at magkaroon ng dagdag na oras kasama ang kanilang pamilya,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement.

(During our weekly school visits, we hear the appeals of our teachers. We thought it best to give them time to rest and spend more time with their families.)

He noted that many teachers and students were affected by recent typhoons, earthquakes, and flu-like illnesses.

“Marami sa ating mga guro at mag-aaral ay galing sa mga lugar na tinamaan ng bagyo at lindol o may mga kaso ng trangkaso. Kaya sabi nga natin, konting pahinga muna. Mas makakapagtrabaho tayo nang maayos kung maayos din ang pakiramdam natin,” Angara said.

(Many of our teachers and learners come from areas hit by typhoons and earthquakes, or are dealing with flu cases. That’s why we said, let’s take a short break first. We can work better when we’re also feeling well.)

The wellness break modifies provisions under DepEd Memorandum–Office of the Undersecretary for Learning Systems–2025-095, consistent with Department Order No. 12, s. 2025, which outlines the school calendar for the current academic year.

DepEd said the measure reinforced its commitment to safeguarding the health and welfare of teachers and learners, emphasizing that rest and recovery are essential to sustaining the delivery of quality education.

For schools and divisions that already paid for venues and meals for the scheduled INSET during the wellness break, DepEd said the training may be rescheduled or the funds repurposed.

If rescheduling is not feasible, activities may proceed voluntarily. Teachers who participate will be exempted from attending similar trainings later in the school year.

Schools were also authorized to adjust their academic schedules in coordination with their respective Schools Division Offices (SDOs) and Regional Offices (ROs) to accommodate the change.

DepEd stressed that INSET and other professional development programs should still be conducted within the remaining days of School Year 2025–2026.

Regular classes will resume on Nov. 3, 2025, following the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day holidays.

DepEd explained that the INSET program remains a key professional development activity that helps teachers stay updated with new teaching strategies, curriculum reforms, and innovations aimed at improving teaching and learning outcomes. — JMA, GMA Integrated News