Thursday, July 23, 2015

Public School Teachers, Are They Obliged to Attend Saturday Meeting?

It seems that it is a common practice in the Department of Education (DepEd} that weekends are used to be the schedule for the public school teachers to conduct their in-service training, review for national assessment of the pupils, among others. Those teachers concerned are clamoring why Saturdays or Sundays?

Group of school heads in conference
School Heads Conference
DepEd Order No. 9, s. 2005, in particular so provides, that since the quality of education is deteriorating, the teachers are "to increase engaged time-on-task so that the required number of school days in every school year and the time allotment to teaching every subject in school are met by minimizing activities participated in by the teachers and the pupils.

On the other hand, DepEd Order No. 16, s. 2009 regulates the 8-hour working requirement of the teachers to render in the school. It points out definitely that the teachers should have 6 hours actual teaching and 2 hours for teaching-related activities.

With that DepEd Orders, the teachers are already fed up of their teaching job. And of course, they need to have some rest, relaxation. In short, a time for their family they need. But there are occasions that they have to go to school even during Saturdays and Sundays for a meeting, conference, training and the like.

DepEd Orders  A group of local teachers have aired their feelings on the practice of some school principals or even school administrators to hold meetings, training and the like during Saturdays and Sundays when in fact these are the best days for them to rest or to be with their family.

These teachers are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities and even to the extent of the services as prescribed by law.

The Question: Are they required to attend? Do they have right or the privilege to refuse?

Similar question was posted by a male teacher to a Facebook closed group by a regional teachers. Many had reacted for they've been affected seriously.

Republic Act 4461

In the course of discussion on the said social media page on the query that teachers should have to be in Saturday or Sunday meeting, one of the admin posted RA 4461. It is a brief statement of an act about the holding of the meeting of public school teachers.

The complete description or content of this act:

Republic Act 4461

To be or not to be?

Nobody peradventure dares to interpret such succint act. Well, this is the only question we may pose:

Is it illegal to require public school teachers to attend meetings, conferences, seminars, and other related teacher educative gatherings during weekends?

16 comments:

  1. Awww, this is sad news. I think teachers work everyday. They go to school early and go home late. They teach multiple classes in a day and sometimes they still bring work to home with them. I think they at least the Saturday off. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right. I do agree with you that teachers should have to rest on Saturday. There should always be a time for a family.

      Delete
  2. Saturday work is not healthy. I've had mandated Saturday work for the last 4.5 years. I have my reasons why I have not left the company I'm with right now but I see how challenging it is to have Saturday work for those with kids. I feel that Saturday should be time spent with family and not at work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our body is not a machine. After a day's work, one's body should have to relax so that it could reinvigorate for another day's work again. Thus, teachers should have to rest too. And Saturday could be the best day to rest for their family.

      Delete
  3. I think administrators should just integrate this in weekday meetings. Rest time is really important for everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My aunt is a teacher and I've seen her exchanged her sleeping time with lesson plans. I've seen her pass our family events because she had to be at a school meeting or field trip. I do believe that teachers should be given rest and family time and the best days of the week would be the weekends - Saturday and Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is what we call working beyond our office duties. I am teaching 7 school hours with an advisory class, heading CIP and also SBM. Tedious tasks! Ugh! If only they'll increase our salary. Heard nothing from the SONA earlier .

    ReplyDelete
  6. Even I hates weekend extra work even if it's paid double. Weekend is supposed to be my relaxing and time for family.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Teachers should work on weekdays. Let them do their thing on Weekend. They deserved these rest days instead of having a meeting at school.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I totally agree with what most commentators here have stated. Teachers, just like everyone else need time off to also be able to refocus

    ReplyDelete
  9. I think everyone needs a time off - to be healthy and good to go in everything you do - sometimes, rest and time off are necessary.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It really depends, if its a couple of Saturdays plus if it will enhance their skills, why not. but if it's a constant thing then its another thing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. #justsaying
    Sa dami po ng demands ng works sa DepEd 8 hours na work po is not enough. Being an ICT coordinator and MAPEH teacher ng 3 year levels po is super hirap po plus mga reports na sobrang dami at DLL na sobrang haba.
    My hearts breaks everytime na tatanungin ako ng anak ko every night, "Mama you want to play?" di ko masagot kasi nakaharap nanaman ako sa harap bg laptop dahil may mga hindi natapos na work. Then weekends minsan nasa school pa rin. Sana time sa family naman ang weekends please lang po. Our first and foremost role and priority is our families sumusunod lang po ang trabaho.

    ReplyDelete
  12. We teachers of PNS are required to be in our classroom 10 minutes before the first period which starts at 8AM and our official time starts at 8AM also? Is this humanitarian? Aside from that we are also required to be in school at 6:55 because our new principal want that flag raising must be at 7AM. This is his policy.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I need an exact answer. Are we allowed to hold meetings on saturdays.
    What legal basis we need to underscore this policy

    ReplyDelete
  14. The law is the law no matter how hard. if you want to disobey any laws your action is considered unlawful. and if anybody wants to disregard any law whether it is short or long description of the law still it is the law. it can not be amended by any form of justification unless congress will amend the said law.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...