MANILA (October 24) — The Department of Education (DepEd) has declared a four-day “wellness break” for public schools nationwide from October 27 to 30 to give teachers and students time to rest from recent disasters and a rise in flu-like illnesses.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the move came after appeals from teachers and learners coping with the strain of typhoons, earthquakes, and outbreaks in several regions.
“Many of our teachers and students come from areas hit by calamities or are dealing with sickness. That’s why we said, let’s take a short break first,” Angara said. “We can work better when we’re feeling well.”
The break modifies the schedule of the midyear In-Service Training (INSET) under Department Order No. 12, s. 2025. Schools are advised to defer training activities, though divisions that have paid for venues or meals may reschedule or repurpose them. Teachers who still choose to attend voluntary INSET sessions will be exempt from future similar training.
DepEd directed schools to coordinate with regional and division offices in adjusting their calendars while ensuring professional development requirements are completed within the school year.
For many teachers in disaster-hit areas, the pause offers a rare chance to rest and recover. “It’s not just a break—it’s a time to breathe,” one teacher from Davao de Oro shared online.
Classes resume on November 3, after the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
