“The performance of teachers should not be based on the classroom observations because we teach every day.”
CAGAYAN DE ORO — The death of a public high school teacher in Muntinlupa City after she collapsed during a classroom observation prompted groups to press the Department of Education (DepEd) to review existing policies that may put additional burden and pressure on teachers.
Ruby Bernardo, chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), described DepEd’s Results-Based Performance Management System (RPMS) as “oppressive” and said that it should be abolished and replaced with teacher-friendly and fair alternatives.
RPMS, which includes classroom observations that are normally conducted twice each school year, is used as a basis for teachers’ performance as part of their promotion and monetary incentives like the Performance-Based Bonus and the Service Recognition Incentive.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara deferred the implementation of RPMS in July 2024 to improve its processes and requirements. On October 1, 2025, DepEd issued guidelines on the Multi-Year Performance Management and Evaluation System for school years 2025-2026 to 2027-2028 which still requires teachers to undergo two “full-period” classroom observations each school year.
Too much pressure
A female public elementary teacher at the Sultan Ali Dimaporo Memorial Integrated School in Lanao del Norte who spoke to Bulatlat on condition of anonymity acknowledged that classroom observations serve as technical assistance to improve their teaching skills but said that it puts too much pressure on them.
Apart from meticulous preparation, she said that being observed by a higher teacher or school head while conducting a class is far different from their normal class discussion routine.
They need to exert additional efforts, she said, because there are indicators they need to achieve to ensure high ratings, especially for teachers who are aiming for promotion and incentives.
“The performance of teachers should not be based on the classroom observations because we teach every day,” the teacher said in the vernacular. “They should ask students instead.”
According to the Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD), the recent tragic incident highlighted the long-standing concern faced by many teachers in the country.
It said that when this assessment is added to the heavy set of responsibilities of teachers, “they can contribute to increased fatigue and physical strain.”
The Mindanaoan teacher said that classroom observations have the largest impact under RPMS. If she were to suggest it, the process of assessing teachers’ skills should be similar to some college institutions, where students are the ones being asked to evaluate.
Pushing for reforms
After the sudden passing of Agnes Buenaflor, 59, a public teacher at Pedro E. Diaz High School on Wednesday, January 7, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) called on DepEd to declare a nationwide suspension of classroom observations.
ACT, together with ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, visited the wake of Buenaflor on Friday, January 9. They met with DepEd Undersecretary Fatima Panontongan there and they proposed several recommendations pertaining to classroom observation.
These include the non-inclusion of classroom observation as a basis for teachers’ performance ratings for their promotion and incentives and exemption of veteran or experienced teachers from this assessment. ACT added that classroom observation should only be 10 to 15 minutes.
In a release issued by DepEd on January 9, it said that Angara will not suspend the classroom observation because it improves the quality of teaching, but reforms are now underway.
Bernardo told Bulatlat that the 59-year-old Buenaflor had been in service for 29 years. Several groups extended their condolences on the passing of Buenaflor. (DAA)
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