The Department of Education is being urged to review the policy.
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara said that they will look into the classroom observation policy.
A public high school teacher in Muntinlupa City died during a scheduled classroom observation. This saddening incident renewed the calls of teachers’ groups to review this kind of evaluation policy in their profession.
The Schools Division Office of Muntinlupa confirmed this news on Thursday, January 8. The teacher is from Pedro E. Diaz High School, stating “the teacher “lost her life while fulfilling her dedication to education.”
In a statement, the Department of Education extended its deepest sympathies to the family, colleagues, and students of the late teacher, mourning the loss of an educator who dedicated their life to service.
Following this devastating news, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said on Friday that the department would review the policy, noting that it is already under evaluation and will be further studied if necessary.
Based on the investigation, the teacher named Agnes Buenaflor was neither coerced nor intimidated while under observation.
“Dati kasi sole basis, tapos surprise ‘yung visits dati. So ang ginawa namin, ise-schedule nila. Mag-uusap ‘yung magmo-monitor at saka ‘yung magre-review saka ‘yung teacher kung kailan siya okay,” Angara said, and added, “Ano lang talaga, parang may karamdaman lang si Teacher Agnes nung day na ‘yun.”
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Philippines called out the DepEd to review the policy, and, if possible, suspend it. The group noted that they have long raised concerns about the volume of administrative requirements the DepEd imposes on top of classroom instruction.
ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio also expressed his condolences, stating that this observation system has become “oppressive and counterproductive to genuine teacher development.” He argued that the policy pressures teachers, which impacts their well-being.
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