DEPED: 30 DAYS LEAVE CREDITS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS

The annual vacation service credits (VSCs) for public school teachers have been doubled from 15 to 30 days according to the Department of Education (DepEd). This is to address their demands and ensure proper compensation for additional work, as part of a new policy that aims to shield teachers' take-home pay from deductions.

From 15 days of vacation service credits, the number of VSCs of public school teachers were increased to 30 days by the new guidelines of DepEd (Photo courtesy of Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The updated guideline were under DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2024 signed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, “streamline the administration of VSCs, which allow teachers to offset absences due to illness or personal reasons, or to recover salary deductions during vacation periods.”

According to DepEd, the revised order incumbent teachers with at least one year of service and newly hired teachers appointed within four months after the start of classes to 30 days of VSCs annually. 

It added that newly hired teachers whose appointments are issued four months after the start of classes will receive 45 days of VSCs per year. Under the new guidelines, teachers will also earn 1.25 hours of VSC for every hour of eligible service rendered during school days.

If service is rendered during Christmas breaks, summer breaks, weekends, or holidays, they will earn 1.5 hours of VSC per hour. Teachers will have 1.25 hours of VSC for every hour of additional teaching in cases where teaching overload is not compensated through overload pay. Which will be on top of their 30-day entitlement.

If teachers are assigned to perform outside of their regular hours or additional teaching-related duties, they will also benefit from the new guidelines. The approval of VSCs will require authorization from the Schools Division Superintendent or another designated authority.

The agency said, “The new guidelines reflect DepEd’s commitment to addressing the evolving demands on teachers and ensuring they are properly compensated. This move also aims to safeguard teachers’ net take-home pay by recognizing their participation in DepEd-led activities at the national, regional, and division levels, alongside its partners and stakeholders.”  

The new directive will take effect 15 days from its approval and publication on the DepEd website. And lifts the 15-day service credit limit under DepEd Order No. 53 s. 2003.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer 

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