The directive poses a relief to teachers who complained that this task overlaps with the busy period of preparing for the new school year and the Brigada Eskwela, a nationwide school maintenance program. Photo by The EdLines
Education Secretary Sonny Angara has suspended the submission of teachers’ reports and performance reviews, giving educators more time to prepare for the upcoming school year starting July 29.
The decision came after teacher groups, including the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), requested the suspension.
Angara announced the move during his first flag-raising ceremony at the Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday.
“We issued one already, or we will issue today, ito iyong suspension ng RBPMS [Results-Based Performance Management System] or iyong teachers’ reports,” Angara said.
“Ang reklamo ng teachers, nagkakasabay siya sa bukasan ng pasukan. So ang daming kailangan na documentation, etc so sabay sa Brigada Eskwela, sabay sa opening of classes, so sinuspend namin for maybe one or one and a half months.”
The RBPMS requires teachers to submit detailed reports on their performance for the previous school year.
Teachers complained that this task overlaps with the busy period of preparing for the new school year and the Brigada Eskwela, a nationwide school maintenance program.
ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua welcomed the suspension, calling it a “positive first step in the right direction,” according to ABS-CBN news.
“We are pleased that Secretary Angara has heeded our call to suspend the RBPMS. This was our priority request during our initial dialogue with him,” Quetua said in a statement.
“The suspension of RBPMS will provide much-needed relief to our teachers who have long been burdened by excessive paperwork and administrative tasks that take away time from school opening preparations and activities and actual teaching.”
Angara also addressed other concerns raised by teachers, such as the hiring and promotion process, salary increases, and health insurance. He emphasized the need for systemic solutions to these issues.
Angara said they are looking for solutions to help teachers move up from Teacher 1 to higher positions.
He mentioned that they are working on career progression programs with the Department of Budget and the Civil Service Commission.
Meanwhile, Angara assured that DepEd is ready for La Niña, mentioning plans to continue online and blended learning to prevent learning loss.
With recent floods in Romblon and Mindoro, DepEd personnel are assessing damage to ensure education continues.
“Handa po tayo kapag ganyan,” he said.
With about 159,000 classroom backlogs and 12,000 more added yearly, Angara aims to streamline pre-construction procedures to address delays.
