Teachers also want longer school break

MANILA, Philippines -  Public school students who have been clamoring for a longer semestral break have found an ally in their teachers who have called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to also grant them a longer vacation.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), a federation of public school teachers’ associations nationwide, said teachers should be allowed to take a longer semestral break to work on second quarter test results and student grades.

The TDC added that there is no need to report to school because students are on vacation.

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro under DepEd Order No. 28 said public schools will be on semestral break from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2.

Benjo Basas, TDC chairperson, however, said they received reports that teachers in many areas are required to report to work during the semestral break while others are required to attend school-based in-service trainings.

Luistro said schools, which had class disruptions as a result of recent typhoons should also find a way to hold special make-up classes before going on a semestral break.