DepEd Sets Two-Day Wellness Break for Teachers on September 14-15

Excerpt: The Department of Education has directed the observance of a two-day Wellness Break for teachers on September 14 and 15, 2026, giving educators time to rest and attend to their well-being before the start of the succeeding term.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has reminded schools to protect September 14 and 15, 2026 as a genuine Wellness Break for teachers following the end of Term 1 under the three-term school calendar.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara, in a memorandum dated September 8, 2026, said the Wellness Break is provided under DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2026, or the Guidelines on the Implementation of the Three-Term School Calendar in Basic Education.

Wellness Break Set for September 14-15

For Term 1, the two-day Wellness Break will be observed on:

• Monday, September 14, 2026
• Tuesday, September 15, 2026

According to DepEd, the break is intended to give teachers time to rest, recuperate, and attend to their personal well-being before the start of the succeeding term.

No Meetings, Trainings or Official Work

DepEd emphasized that the two days should be respected and protected as a genuine break for teachers.

The memorandum states that teachers should not be required to attend or accomplish the following during the Wellness Break:

• Meetings
• Trainings
• Learning Action Cell or LAC sessions
• School activities
• Reporting
• Submissions
• Asynchronous deliverables
• Other official work

Regional offices, schools division offices, and schools were urged to ensure that teachers are not given official duties during the two-day period.

Schools Asked to Protect Teachers’ Break

School heads and field officials were also encouraged to exercise care when scheduling activities immediately before and after the Wellness Break.

DepEd said this is necessary to preserve the intended purpose of the break and ensure that teachers are given meaningful time to rest.

Who Is Covered by the Memorandum?

The September 8 memorandum is addressed to Regional Directors, Schools Division Superintendents, Public Elementary and Secondary School Heads, and all others concerned.

The directive specifically concerns the Wellness Break for teachers under DepEd’s three-term school calendar. Personnel and families from schools with different arrangements should follow announcements and schedules issued by their respective schools or divisions.

Is the Wellness Break a Class Suspension?

The memorandum specifically establishes and protects a Wellness Break for teachers. It does not describe September 14 and 15 as a separate nationwide declaration of class suspension.

Students and parents are therefore advised to refer to the official academic calendar and announcements of their respective schools regarding class schedules during the period.

DepEd directed the immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with the memorandum.

Source: Department of Education Memorandum dated September 8, 2026, signed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara.