DepEd Rolls Out 4-Day Onsite Workweek, Maintains Regular School Schedule
The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Monday that classes in all public and private schools across the Philippines will proceed as scheduled, despite the agency's nationwide implementation of a 4-day onsite workweek effective March 9, 2026. This move aims to balance administrative efficiency with uninterrupted educational delivery as the school year draws to a close.
New Work Arrangement Details
On March 8, 2026, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara issued DepEd Memorandum No. 018, series of 2026, directing all DepEd offices nationwide to adopt a four-day onsite work arrangement from Monday to Thursday. Friday has been officially designated as a work-from-home (WFH) day for eligible personnel. This structural shift is designed to optimize operations while adhering to broader government directives on energy conservation.
Clarification on School Operations
The DepEd emphasized that the new workweek policy does not affect classroom activities. Teachers will continue to follow their existing school arrangements to ensure the seamless conduct of classes and end-of-school-year activities. According to DepEd Order No. 012 series of 2025, the School Year 2025-2026 opened on June 16, 2025, and is set to conclude on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, encompassing a total of 197 class days, including culminating events.
Compliance with Government Directives
The agency clarified that Memorandum No. 018 was released in compliance with Memorandum Circular No. 114 issued by the Office of the President of the Philippines. This circular directs government agencies to adopt energy conservation protocols and flexible work arrangements in response to rising fuel prices exacerbated by the ongoing Middle East conflict. The WFH arrangement specifically applies to non-teaching personnel, related teaching staff, and employees on contract-of-service and job-order terms, while teachers remain on their standard schedules to uphold educational continuity.
Monitoring and Accountability
Under the newly implemented WFH scheme, personnel working remotely will be closely monitored by their immediate supervisors. Performance will be tracked through accomplishment reports, and attendance will be verified via daily time records and individual daily logs. This ensures accountability and maintains productivity standards despite the flexible work setup.
The DepEd's proactive approach seeks to mitigate operational disruptions while supporting national efforts toward energy efficiency and cost reduction. By safeguarding instructional time, the department reaffirms its commitment to delivering quality education amidst evolving administrative frameworks.
