The Department of Education (DepEd) said on Thursday that it’s currently developing an improved framework to evaluate the performance of public school teachers, following concerns in regards to the current classroom commentary policy.
“The Department is currently working on a policy that focuses on teachers’ growth and performance,” it said in a press release.
The agency noted that the meeting between Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara and DepEd’s National Management Committee members discussed ways to eliminate “unnecessary stress” amongst educators during classroom teaching observations.
DepEd said classroom commentary is a “uniform measure to evaluate teacher performance, discover needs, and supply support for skilled development.” It’s also considered one of the numerous aspects considered for teachers’ promotion.
In January, the death of a public school teacher throughout the scheduled classroom commentary caused groups to boost their concerns in regards to the pressure teachers face throughout the evaluation process.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said that the Results-based Performance Management System (RPMS) is a “burdensome” process for teachers, causing additional stress.
Meanwhile, for the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), reinstating the Performance Appraisal System for Teachers (PAST) is a “simpler and more developmental alternative” to the evaluation process.
To reinforce the assessment procedure, the important thing components of the proposed policy are Learner Evidence, Skilled Artifacts, Collaboration and Skilled Engagement, and a Single Classroom Statement.
Each category has a 25% weight in the general evaluation to make sure a proportionate rating system for teachers’ performance.
The framework of the policy also goals to advertise skilled growth, effective workload management, and improved learning outcomes.
“Muli, patuloy tayong magsusulong ng mga polisiya at programa para sa ikabubuti ng ating mga kaguruan [Again, we will continue to push for policies and programs that will benefit our teachers],” Mr. Angara said in a news release.
“President Bongbong Marcos has emphasized repeatedly the necessity to protect the welfare of our teachers—and we remain steadfast in carrying out this directive,” he added. — Almira Louise S. Martinez