By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Public school teachers will soon spend less time preparing paperwork and more time focusing on classroom instruction under a new lesson planning policy introduced by the Department of Education (DepEd).
Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Monday announced revised guidelines on Lesson Planning and Learning Design that seek to simplify documentation requirements while promoting more effective and learner-centered teaching practices.
The policy replaces DepEd Order No. 42, series of 2016, and forms part of the agency’s broader reforms for School Year 2026–2027.
A key feature of the revised guidelines is the removal of separate requirements for Detailed Lesson Plans and Daily Lesson Logs. Instead, teachers will follow a unified lesson planning approach designed to prioritize instructional quality and student learning outcomes.
“Our teachers should not spend most of their time writing lengthy lesson plans. What matters is that learning objectives are clear, teachers are prepared, and students are learning effectively,” Angara said.
Under the new framework, lesson planning will be guided by the ILAW model, which stands for Intentions, Learning Experience, Assessing Learning, and Ways Forward.
DepEd said the framework provides educators with a practical structure for setting learning goals, designing classroom activities, assessing student progress, and determining appropriate interventions to address learning gaps.
The department emphasized that the new system shifts the focus from compliance-driven paperwork to thoughtful instructional planning that responds to the needs of learners.
To prevent additional administrative burdens, regional offices, schools, and community learning centers will no longer be allowed to require supplementary lesson plan templates or documentation beyond the standards prescribed by DepEd.
Angara said the reform reflects the department’s confidence in the professionalism and expertise of teachers.
“We trust our teachers because they understand the needs of their learners. Our role is to provide clear direction while giving them the flexibility to make instructional decisions that work best in their classrooms,” he said.
The department is also encouraging schools to adopt workload-reduction strategies such as collaborative lesson preparation, sharing of instructional resources, and wider use of digital platforms.
School administrators and instructional supervisors have likewise been directed to focus on mentoring and professional support rather than merely checking compliance with lesson plan submissions.
DepEd said the policy supports inclusive education by ensuring lesson planning takes into account learners with disabilities, multigrade classes, Alternative Learning System participants, Indigenous Peoples Education communities, and students affected by emergencies or disruptions.
Teachers may continue using their current lesson planning formats during the transition period until the end of the first term of School Year 2026–2027.
The department said training programs and technical assistance will be provided to educators in preparation for the full implementation of the new guidelines beginning in the second term.
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