WE ARE again reminding the school officials not to require teachers to report to work during class suspensions. We are releasing this statement following reports that some public school teachers in localities which have declared class suspension due to inclement weather last week were asked to report to work. The group said there is no need to report for work since the work of a teacher is to teach and if the classes are suspended, teachers cannot render their tasks for that day.
The Department of Education (DepEd), since 2012, has clearly ordered the school system to follow the prescription of Executive Order 66 (EO 66), which says that automatic suspension of kindergarten classes in areas where the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised public storm signal No. 1; elementary and secondary if the signal number 2 is raised; and all levels including work in DepEd system when signal number 3 is raised. The suspension is applicable in both public and private schools.
However, if there is no storm signal but the LGU executive deemed it necessary to suspend or cancel classes, they may do so by informing their areas of jurisdiction and the same is applicable to all--both teachers and students in public schools. Private schools may exercise their discretion.
The DepEd in fact recognizes that teachers may render Saturday classes in the future to make-up for the loss learning days with their students. At the moment of inclement weather, teachers, just like the students need to be safe in the comfort of our homes. We are not flood or waterproof, anyway.