DEPARTMENT of Education Central Luzon (DepEd-3) regional director Beatriz G. Torno stressed the need for a healthy and conducive work environment for teachers amid reports of suicide by public school teachers.

“We are confident that the workplace of our teachers remains conducive for work and also for living and that the teaching profession remains fulfilling for those whose passion is really into teaching,” Torno said during the launching of the Teachers’ Month in the City of San Fernando on Monday, September 10.

Torno made the statement after two public school teachers reportedly killed themselves in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) due to their heavy workload and other work-related concerns, particularly clerical tasks required by DepEd.

With the availability of modern technology nowadays, Torno noted that preparing reports and doing paperwork has become more convenient and eased the burden of every teacher.

She added that most public schools in the region hold team-building activities annually to create healthy relationships within the teaching force, and ensure personal development of every teacher.

Torno said the incidents of suicide in Eastern Visayas were isolated cases. Blaming one’s teaching duties is “unfair” to other teachers with the same workload, she added.

“We cannot solely attribute the suicide of the public teachers to their jobs alone. They may also have personal or family problems that prompted their conduct of suicide,” Torno noted.

Torno stressed that teachers in Central Luzon have the full support and appreciation of DepEd-3 in their efforts to mold the youth into better and successful citizens.

“The relationship between teachers and DepEd-3 and their respective superintendents are in place, meaning they can raise to us whatever they think would advance the delivery of better education to our students, and also help them in their roles in society-building,” she said.