The Department of Education (DepEd) will now look on the incidents of suicide involving teachers, to see if it is work related.
This was bared by DepEd undersecretary Tionisito Umali in a sideline interview during the 17th Annual Career Executive Service Conference here at SMX Convention Center.
“We are looking into that, kung ganoon pong ulat na kung yun po naibabalitang dahilan gusto po nating malaman ‘yon (if there are reports that the suicide is in connection with their work and we want to know it),” he said.
Umali said the agency will also want to identify the proper interventions for the teachers if the suicide really caused by their workloads.
“That is very sad and all we’re saying, we need to look into this very closely and rest assured if that is validated and confirmed we will do what it takes,” he said.
He said even before the suicide incidents, the DepEd are really taking care of its teachers.
“We would like to address all the possible issues that may be used as a reason why they are stress,” he said.
Umali also explained that the problems on the documentation and reports for the teachers are already addressed.
He said DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones has already order trimmed down the forms and reports to 14 from 30 that need to complied with by the teachers.
Umali said the department is looking for a possibility to create a non-teaching positions so that the persons to fill this position who will take care of the reports and documents.
In the past months about five public school teachers are reportedly committing suicide, due to alleged work related problems.
The latest is the public school teacher in Mabini, Compostela Valley who was found hanging herself inside the comfort room of her classroom at Pindasan Elementary School and same incidents in Bacoor City, Cavite and Leyte earlier.
