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.
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.
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.
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.