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☕ When the Classroom Lights Go Off for a While
I’ll admit it — as a teacher, there were days when my brain felt like a chalkboard that’s been erased one too many times. When I heard about DepEd’s mid-school year wellness break, my first reaction was, “Finally, someone gets it.”
We’re not machines. Between checking quizzes, chasing deadlines, and surviving storms (literally and figuratively), our minds need a reset. And for once, the Department of Education seems to be saying the same thing: rest is part of the job.
🌤 Why DepEd Declared the Wellness Break
The Department of Education (DepEd) officially announced that from October 27 to 30, 2025, all public schools nationwide will observe a mid-school year wellness break for both teachers and students.
According to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, the decision was made to allow recovery time after recent natural disasters and a rise in flu cases. This move also reflects President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize teacher welfare and well-being.
“We heard the call of our teachers,” Angara said. “They deserve time to rest and spend with their families. We’ll work better if we feel better.”
That statement alone feels like a collective sigh of relief across classrooms in the Philippines.
🏫 What Schools Need to Know
DepEd clarified that schools and divisions are given flexibility to adjust their schedules in coordination with their respective Schools Division Offices (SDOs) and Regional Offices (ROs).
Here are the key points every teacher and school leader should know:
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🗓 Break Duration: October 27–30, 2025
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📘 Resumption of Classes: November 3, after All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day
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🎓 INSET Schedule: Schools must still conduct the In-Service Training (INSET) at another date before the end of School Year 2025–2026
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💰 Paid Reservations: For schools that already paid for INSET venues or meals, these may be rescheduled or repurposed for other professional activities
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🙋 Voluntary INSET: Teachers who choose to proceed with INSET during the break will not be required to attend another similar training later in the year
❤️ Why This Break Matters More Than You Think
Let’s be real — teacher burnout is not just a buzzword. It’s a quiet crisis. A 2024 study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) revealed that over 70% of public school teachers reported feeling mentally and physically exhausted by midyear.
Personally, I’ve felt that creeping fatigue. One time, I found myself grading essays past midnight, my coffee long gone cold. I realized I wasn’t being a good teacher anymore — just a tired one.
That’s when it hit me: Rest isn’t laziness. It’s preparation.
This wellness break is more than just time off; it’s a message that teacher well-being is national concern, not just personal responsibility. When teachers recharge, students learn better. It’s that simple.
🧘 The 3-Day Self-Recharge Experiment
During this break, try this personal challenge I call “The 3-Day Self-Recharge Experiment.”
Day 1: Digital Detox
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Log out of work chats and email.
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Do one thing purely for joy — read a novel, watch a sunset, or take an afternoon nap guilt-free.
Day 2: Family First
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Cook a meal together or visit relatives you haven’t seen in months.
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Reconnect with life outside the classroom walls.
Day 3: Reflect and Reset
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Write down what teaching moments made you proud this year.
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Plan one personal or professional goal for November onward.
Small acts of recovery can create long-term impact. Remember: You can’t pour from an empty cup.
📘 The Bigger Picture: What INSET Is For
After the wellness break, DepEd reminds all schools to conduct the required INSET (In-Service Training) — a professional development program that helps teachers and school leaders improve their teaching skills and stay updated with curriculum reforms.
INSET ensures that educators remain adaptable and equipped to deliver quality education — especially as the MATATAG Curriculum continues to roll out across the country.
So yes, the break gives you rest — but INSET gives you growth. Both are equally vital for creating strong, inspired educators.
🌈 A Well-Deserved Pause
When classes resume on November 3, may every teacher walk back into the classroom feeling a little lighter, more patient, and more inspired.
I used to think rest was a luxury. Now I see it as a necessity — like oxygen for the soul. And maybe, just maybe, this DepEd wellness break will remind us all that taking care of teachers is the first step to taking care of education itself.
So here’s to resting without guilt, growing without burnout, and teaching with renewed joy.
How will you spend your wellness break? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you.