DepEd declares nat’l wellness break after disasters disrupt classes

To address consecutive class disruptions, the Department of Education (DepEd) has declared a four-day nationwide health break starting October 27 until October 30.

In a memorandum released on October 22, the department officially proclaimed this midyear break as a wellness break for teaching and non-teaching staff.

This announcement seeks to address the impact of typhoons, earthquakes, and flu outbreaks that interrupted classes all over the country.

“This Midyear Break is a recognition of the need to support the overall well-being of our teaching personnel, which is a critical foundation of education quality, as stated in the Secretary’s five-point reform agenda,” DepEd’s memorandum reads.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara then clarified that this four-day break is planned to provide time for teachers and students to recover following the repeated typhoons and earthquakes.

“Sa bawat pagbisita ko sa mga paaralan, lagi kong naririnig ang pagod ng ating mga guro at mag-aaral… Panahon ito para makapagpahinga, makabawi ng lakas, at makasama ang pamilya,” Angara stated.

The secretary also cited that many educators and learners come from communities that were severely affected by previous disasters or are still facing illness outbreaks.

“Marami sa ating mga guro at mag-aaral ay galing sa mga lugar na tinamaan ng bagyo at lindol, o tinamaan ng trangkaso. Kaya kaunting pahinga muna, mga ka-DepEd,” he said.

Despite the wellness break, DepEd still requires schools and divisions to hold In-Service Training (INSET) and other professional development activities on different dates within this school year.

However, schools that had already prepared INSET meetings before the wellness break had been announced may request to move the dates in accordance with procurement and auditing guidelines.