DepEd doubles teachers' vacation service credits to 30 days

The government has increased the vacation service credits (VSCs) of teachers from 15 days to 30 days to address their demands and ensure proper compensation for additional work.

In a statement on Friday, the Department of Education (DepEd) said DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2024 streamlined the administration of VSCs.

“The revised order now entitles incumbent teachers with at least one year of service, as well as newly hired teachers appointed within four months after the start of classes, to 30 days of VSCs annually,” the DepEd said.

“Additionally, newly hired teachers whose appointments are issued four months after the start of classes will receive 45 days of VSCs per year,” it added.

According to the agency, VSCs are leave credits earned by public school teachers for services rendered during summer or long vacation, Christmas vacation, weekends, and holidays, as well as for teaching overload.

These credits are used to offset absences due to illness or to offset proportional deduction in vacation salary due to absences for personal reasons or late appointments.

Under the new guidelines, teachers will also earn 1.25 hours of VSC for every hour of eligible service rendered during school days. If service is rendered during Christmas breaks, summer breaks, weekends, or holidays, they will earn 1.5 hours of VSC per hour.

In cases where teaching overload is not compensated through overload pay, the DepEd said teachers will have 1.25 hours of VSC for every hour of additional teaching. This will be on top of their 30-day entitlement.

“The new guidelines reflect DepEd’s commitment to addressing the evolving demands on teachers and ensuring they are properly compensated for additional work, particularly during periods like summer or long vacations,” the DepEd said.

“This move also aims to safeguard teachers’ net take-home pay by recognizing their participation in DepEd-led activities at the national, regional, and division levels, alongside its partners and stakeholders,” it added. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News