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FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
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ABOUT TEACHERS’ DAY, CLASS SUSPENSIONS AND THE FAKE “WALANG PASOK” ANNOUNCEMENT
A screenshot saying “walang pasok” can change a family’s plans before anyone checks where it came from. This Teachers’ Day, parents are dealing with a false nationwide announcement alongside local notices that may apply only to particular schools or have already been revised.
A screenshot saying “walang pasok” can change a family’s plans before anyone checks where it came from. This Teachers’ Day, parents are dealing with a false nationwide announcement alongside local notices that may apply only to particular schools or have already been revised.
The safest guide is the latest official notice for your child’s school. Here are five things to check before deciding whether your child needs to attend classes.
1
DOES TEACHERS’ DAY AUTOMATICALLY MEAN NO CLASSES?
October 5 is National Teachers’ Day under Republic Act No. 10743. The law calls it a special working holiday. It does not declare an automatic nationwide class suspension.
The law encourages activities that recognize teachers and gives DepEd the lead in preparing the annual program. A school celebration can affect a local schedule, but the occasion itself does not tell every family that classes are cancelled.
Parents need a notice that actually applies to their child’s school. A greeting for Teachers’ Day or a poster about the celebration is not a class suspension announcement.
WHAT TO WATCH
Look for a clear instruction from the school or the relevant education office. Confirm whether it concerns regular classes, a school activity or a change in the day’s schedule.
2
WHAT DID THE FALSE ANNOUNCEMENT CLAIM?
DepEd warned on October 4 about a false announcement claiming a nationwide suspension of classes on October 5 and 6 for Teachers’ Day.
The claim covers two dates, which makes it especially easy for families to plan around information that is wrong. A department logo, an official-looking layout or repeated shares cannot establish that a notice came from DepEd.
Before forwarding a screenshot, find the original announcement on the agency’s verified page or website. If the official agency has identified the circulating claim as false, sharing another copy only spreads the confusion.
WHAT TO WATCH
Check the exact dates and the original source. Do not treat the false October 5–6 nationwide announcement as a reason to keep a child home.
3
WHY CAN LOCAL SCHOOL SCHEDULES LOOK DIFFERENT?
A false nationwide notice can circulate at the same time as genuine local announcements. Some local governments issued Teachers’ Day notices, while reports also described withdrawals and revisions. An earlier screenshot may therefore no longer show the instruction families should follow.
Read the scope of a genuine notice carefully. It may refer to particular schools, teaching personnel, an afternoon activity or a specific area. A notice affecting one locality does not establish that every school in the country has the same schedule.
When announcements appear to conflict, ask the school to confirm the instruction it is following. Parents should not have to settle a dispute about an order’s legal basis before knowing where their child is expected to be.
WHAT TO WATCH
Check the time of the notice and whether a later correction, cancellation or clarification has been issued. Confirm whether your child’s school and grade level are covered.
4
WHICH ANNOUNCEMENTS SHOULD PARENTS FOLLOW?
Start with the school’s official communication channel, then check the relevant DepEd or local government announcement it refers to. A forwarded message is useful only when it can be traced to a current official instruction.
Read beyond the words “walang pasok.” Check the date, location and whether the notice covers public schools, private schools or both. Also confirm whether it covers the whole day or only part of it.
If the school has not confirmed a change, contact its office or the teacher through the usual channel. That is more reliable than guessing from a post about a different town or a different school.
WHAT TO WATCH
Look for the school’s specific instructions on attendance and activities. Keep the original notice available so you can check its coverage rather than relying on a cropped image.
5
WHAT SHOULD YOU CHECK BEFORE LEAVING HOME?
Check once more for a revised announcement before your child leaves. If an earlier suspension was withdrawn, the school may have issued a new instruction about classes or Teachers’ Day activities.
This is especially useful when a post was shared the night before. A correct notice at the time it was issued can become outdated after a revision, and the older version can continue circulating in group chats.
If you still cannot establish the schedule, ask the school directly and explain which notice caused the confusion. Pass on the confirmed instruction with its source so other parents can check it too.
WHAT TO WATCH
Check for words such as “cancelled,” “revoked,” “corrected” or “updated,” along with the date and time. Make sure the final instruction comes from the school or office responsible for the announcement.
BOTTOM LINE
Teachers’ Day is a special working holiday. The false claim of a nationwide class suspension on October 5 and 6 should not guide a family’s plans.
Use the latest official instruction that applies to your child’s school. Check its scope and any revisions before deciding that “walang pasok.”
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