THE Department of Education (DepEd) has granted up to five days of wellness leave annually to its teaching and nonteaching personnel in a move aimed at supporting their mental health and overall well-being amid growing demands in the education sector.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara says the policy is a concrete expression of the department’s commitment to care for its workforce across all levels of the organization, and in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen employee welfare and promote mental health across the public sector.
“Ito ay handog natin sa bawat kawani ng DepEd — mula sa central office hanggang sa mga rehiyon, division offices, paaralan at community learning centers anuman ang kanilang employment status. Kinikilala natin na ang kanilang kalusugan, lalo na ang mental health, ay mahalaga sa patuloy nilang paglilingkod sa ating mga mag-aaral (This is our offering to every DepEd personnel — from the central office to the regions, division offices, schools and community learning centers regardless of their employment status. We recognize that their health, especially their mental health, is vital to their continued service to our learners),” Angara says.
WELLNESS FIRST Department of Education (DepEd) grants up to five days of wellness leave annually to its teaching and nonteaching personnel as a support to their mental health and overall well-being amid growing demands in the education sector. PHOTO FROM DEPED
WELLNESS FIRST Department of Education (DepEd) grants up to five days of wellness leave annually to its teaching and nonteaching personnel as a support to their mental health and overall well-being amid growing demands in the education sector. PHOTO FROM DEPED
Under the guidelines aligned with the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular 01, s. 2026, the wellness leave applies to all eligible DepEd officials and employees, including those in permanent, temporary, casual, contractual, coterminous, substitute and provisional positions as well as contract of service and job order personnel directly engaged by the department.
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The wellness leave is separate from existing vacation and sick leave benefits and may be used for mental health care, physical wellness activities or simply to take a restorative break from work.
Personnel may avail themselves of the leave for up to three consecutive days at a time or on nonconsecutive days throughout the year, depending on their needs and subject to approval procedures.
To protect employees’ privacy, any mental health-related information disclosed in the application process will be treated as confidential and handled in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
Applications for wellness leave must generally be filed at least five days in advance, except in emergency situations, and the benefit cannot be accumulated or converted into cash if unused within the year.
Angara says the initiative aligns with national policies promoting workplace mental health and aims to strengthen employee resilience while ensuring uninterrupted delivery of education services, adding supporting the well-being of DepEd personnel ultimately benefits learners and the education system as a whole.
“Kapag inaalagaan natin ang ating mga guro at kawani, mas nagiging matibay ang ating mga paaralan (When we take care of our teachers and personnel, our schools become stronger),” he said. “Ito ay pamumuhunan hindi lamang sa ating workforce, kundi sa kinabukasan ng ating mga mag-aaral (This is an investment not only in our workforce, but in the future of our learners).”
