Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Thursday announced a four-day wellness break for teachers and students from Oct. 27 to 30, giving them time to rest ahead of the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day holidays.

Angara said the break aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize the well-being of educators and learners while ensuring the delivery of quality education.

In a Facebook post, Angara explained that the move was a response to appeals from teachers and students, especially those affected by recent earthquakes, typhoons, and flu.

“This is a time to rest, regain strength, and be with your families,” he said in Filipino.

“Many of our teachers and learners come from areas that were hit by typhoons and earthquakes, or perhaps contracted the flu. That’s why we need to rest for a while, our DepEd fellows!”

Meanwhile, Angara said the declaration also gives schools the discretion to adjust their midyear In-Service Training (INSET) schedules, which may be moved after the break.

This means that even those public schools and divisions that already paid for venues and meals for INSET may move it to another date and use it for other purposes.

Rescheduled INSET and professional development programs, however, should still fall on any dates within the remaining days of School Year (SY) 2025–2026.

If schedule adjustments are not possible, attendance will be voluntary, and teachers who already participated will not be required to attend similar activities again this school year.

Regular classes will resume on Nov. 3. (PNA)