The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Tuesday that diminishing the paperwork requirements for public school educators by 57% allows for more time dedicated to classroom instruction.
“Instead of forms and compliance lists, time is being restored to teachers—enabling them to plan, to prepare, and most crucially, to educate,” it stated.
According to DepEd Order No. 06, s. 2025, the forms mandated from teachers have been reduced from 174 to just five regularly filled out documents.
In addition, 31 forms associated with auxiliary teaching duties and 39 forms for teaching-related tasks may still be filled out depending on the “designated responsibilities of teachers based on their optimized workload.”
“Binibigyan natin sila ng mas maraming oras, lakas, at puso para sa tunay na pagtuturo [We are giving them more time, strength, and heart for true teaching],” Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara stated.
“Sa bawat gurong gumagaan ang trabaho may batang mas natututo [For every teacher with a lighter workload, there is a child who learns more],” he continued.
The Education chief remarked that the reform aims not only to alleviate the administrative burden on educators but also to rekindle their enthusiasm for teaching.
“We’re paving the way so educators can soar,” Mr. Angara expressed. “This initiative signals that substantial learning and teacher welfare are interconnected.”
The department emphasized that the policy reform has also enhanced collaboration among teachers across the country.
“We now have increased time to exchange best practices and engage in co-teaching,” remarked Jenalyn Trance, an instructor from Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School.
“We are also more actively involved in our professional growth initiatives to refine our skills and knowledge,” she added. – Almira Louise S. Martinez
