UPDATES ON THE HEALTH BREAK FOR TEACHERS (October 27-30, 2025)

October 22, 2025 — The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), led by Chairman Benjo Basas, has formally requested the Department of Education (DepEd) to grant a Health Break for all public school teachers nationwide from October 27 to 30, 2025.

In a letter addressed to DepEd, Basas urged the department to provide teachers with a week free from any form of training or seminars, allowing them to “regain their strength and mental wellness” amid the demands of the academic year.

A Time to Rest and Recharge

Basas emphasized that teachers, like their learners, deserve ample time to rest and recover.

“If learners deserve this break, more so are the teachers,” Basas said, adding that the break would serve as an opportunity for educators to restore their mental and physical well-being.

He clarified that while teachers will still fulfill their grading responsibilities, the proposed health break aims to give them flexibility and relief from administrative and training workloads.

The DepEd is currently reviewing the proposal and has expressed openness to considering the TDC’s request, recognizing the importance of teachers’ welfare and work-life balance.

ACT NCR Union Issues Apology for Erroneous Post

In a related development, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) NCR Union issued a public apology following confusion caused by an earlier social media post about the INSET in SDO Dagupan City.

In their statement posted on Facebook, the group wrote:

“We sincerely apologize for our earlier post regarding INSET in Region I and SDO Dagupan. The information we shared was not verified, and we acknowledge the official clarification from Dr. Rowena Banzon and her team. We regret the confusion caused and commit to being more careful moving forward. Thank you for your understanding.”

The apology was well-received by educators online, many of whom appreciated the union’s accountability and commitment to transparency.