As teachers’ efforts are being recognized in building the nation, an Act was passed into law to look after the welfare of the public school teachers and to promote, improve, and secure the professional rights of a teacher—known to be the Republic Act (RA) 4670 or Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.

A teacher is defined in this act as “all persons engaged in teaching (look into the provision of the law: in any level of instruction, on full-time basis) basic education in public schools and all other persons performing supervisory functions in all public schools in basic education, specifically: department heads, assistant school heads, school heads, district, division, and regional supervisors, assistant schools division superintendent, schools division superintendents, assistant regional directors, regional directors and bureau/service/center directors, but shall not include support personnel such as legal, medical and dental, planning, property/ supply, financial and human resource employees.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Magna Carta for Public School Teachers

The Magna Carta for Public School Teachers aims to improve the social and economic status of public school teachers in basic education, their living and working conditions, employment, and career prospects.

Desired Learning Outcome

Domain 6: Community Linkages and Professional Engagement

Strand: Professional Ethics

BTI 6.3.1

Be aware of existing laws and regulations that apply to the teaching profession.

PTI 6.3.2

Regularly review personal teaching practices using existing laws and regulations that apply to the teaching profession.

Objectives:

a. Demonstrate awareness on the Magna Carta of Public School Teachers in Basic Education and your professional rights, opportunities, benefits, and responsibilities.

b. Reflect on the personal teaching practice in relation to the relevant provisions of the Magna Carta.

c. Write a commitment on how you will perform your rights and responsibilities guided by the Magna Carta.

PRE-TEST

Fill in the blank with the correct answer.

1. An Act to promote and improve the social and economic status of public school teachers is called_______.

2. All persons engaged in classroom teaching in any level of instruction whether full or part time basis are called_______.

3. In_______, minimum educational qualification is only one of the criteria on recruitment, selection and promotion appointment of teachers.

4. Cost of living allowance and special hardship allowance are under the_______.in the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.

5. Free compulsory medical examination, free medical treatment and or hospitalization, and reimbursement for travelling expenses in regions where there is a scarcity of medical facilities are under the provision of Magna Carta on_______.

6. The additional unit requirement to be taken in case a person is a graduate of bachelor’s degree in arts and sciences is called_______.

7. The act that states before any person is allowed to practice as a professional teacher in the Philippines, one must have a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional license from the PRC is known as_______.

8. The actual number of hours of classroom teaching in a day that a teacher needs to render is_______.

9. Study leave and indefinite leave are kinds of entitled leaves given to a teacher under the_______.of the Magna Carta.

10. The section on_______.of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers allows the teacher to establish and join organizations to further and defend their interests.

THE MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS (REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4670)

I. DECLARATION OF POLICY COVERAGE

Sec. 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared to be the policy of this Act to promote and improve the social and economic status of public school teachers, their living and working conditions, their terms of employment and career prospects in order that they may compare favorably with existing opportunities in other walks of life, attract and retain in the teaching profession more people with the proper qualifications, it being recognized that advance in education depends on the qualifications and ability of the teaching staff and that education is an essential factor in the economic growth of the nation as a productive investment of vital importance.

Sec. 2. Title Definition. This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta for Public School Teachers” and shall apply to all public school teachers except those in the professorial staff of state colleges and universities.

As used in this Act, the term “teacher” shall mean all persons engaged in classroom teaching, in any level of instruction, on full-time basis, including guidance counselors, school librarians, industrial arts or vocational instructors, and all other persons performing supervisory and/or administrative functions in all schools, colleges and universities operated by the Government or its political subdivisions; but shall not include school nurses, school physicians, school dentists, and other school employees.

II. RECRUITMENT AND CAREER

Sec. 3. Recruitment and Qualification. Recruitment policy with respect to the selection and appointment of teachers shall be clearly defined by the Department of Education: Provided, however, That effective upon the approval of this Act, the following shall constitute the minimum educational qualifications for teacher-applicants:

(a) For teachers in the kindergarten and elementary grades, Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (B.S.E.ED.);
(b) For teachers of the secondary schools, Bachelor’s degree in Education or its equivalent with a major and a minor; or a Bachelor’s degree in Arts or Science with at least eighteen professional units in Education.
(c) For teachers of secondary vocational and two years technical courses, Bachelor’s degree in the field of specialization with at least eighteen professional units in education;
(d) For teachers of courses on the collegiate level, other than vocational, master’s degree with a specific area of specialization;

Provided, further, That in the absence of applicants who possess the minimum educational qualifications as hereinabove provided, the school superintendent may appoint, under a temporary status, applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications: Provided, further, That should teacher-applicants, whether they possess the minimum educational qualifications or not, be required to take competitive examinations, preference in making appointments shall be in the order of their respective ranks in said competitive examinations: And provided, finally, That the results of the examinations shall be made public and every applicant shall be furnished with his score and rank in said examinations.

Sec. 4. Probationary Period. When recruitment takes place after adequate training and professional preparation in any school recognized by the Government, no probationary period preceding regular appointment shall be imposed if the teacher possesses the appropriate civil service eligibility: Provided, however, That where, due to the exigencies of the service, it is necessary to employ as teacher a person who possesses the minimum educational qualifications herein above set forth but lacks the appropriate civil service eligibility, such person shall be appointed on a provisional status and shall undergo a period of probation for not less than one year from and after the date of his provisional appointment.

Sec. 5. Tenure of Office. Stability on employment and security of tenure shall be assured the teachers as provided under existing laws.

Subject to the provisions of Section three hereof, teachers appointed on a provisional status for lack of necessary civil service eligibility shall be extended permanent appointment for the position he is holding after having rendered at least ten years of continuous, efficient and faithful service in such position.

Sec. 6. Consent for Transfer Transportation Expenses. Except for cause and as herein otherwise provided, no teacher shall be transferred without his consent from one station to another.

Where the exigencies of the service require the transfer of a teacher from one station to another, such transfer may be effected by the school superintendent who shall previously notify the teacher concerned of the transfer and the reason or reasons therefor. If the teacher believes there is no justification for the transfer, he may appeal his case to the Director of Public Schools or the Director of Vocational Education, as the case may be. Pending his appeal and the decision thereon, his transfer shall be held in abeyance: Provided, however, That no transfers whatever shall be made three months before any local or national election.

Necessary transfer expenses of the teacher and his family shall be paid for by the Government if his transfer is finally approved.

Sec. 7. Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers. Within six months from the approval of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall formulate and prepare a Code of Professional Conduct for Public School Teachers. A copy of the Code shall be furnished each teacher: Provided, however, That where this is not possible by reason of inadequate fiscal resources of the Department of Education, at least three copies of the same Code shall be deposited with the office of the school principal or head teacher where they may be accessible for use by the teachers.

Sec. 8. Safeguards in Disciplinary Procedure. Every teacher shall enjoy equitable safeguards at each stage of any disciplinary procedure and shall have:

a. the right to be informed, in writing, of the charges;
b. the right to full access to the evidence in the case;
c. the right to defend himself and to be defended by a representative of his choice and/or by his organization, adequate time being given to the teacher for the preparation of his defense; and
d. the right to appeal to clearly designated authorities.

No publicity shall be given to any disciplinary action being taken against a teacher during the pendency of his case.

Sec. 9. Administrative Charges. Administrative charges against a teacher shall be heard initially by a committee composed of the corresponding School Superintendent of the Division or a duly authorized representative who should at least have the rank of a division supervisor, where the teacher belongs, as chairman, a representative of the local or, in its absence, any existing provincial or national teacher’s organization and a supervisor of the Division, the last two to be designated by the Director of Public Schools. The committee shall submit its findings and recommendations to the Director of Public Schools within thirty days from the termination of the hearings: Provided, however, That where the school superintendent is the complainant or an interested party, all the members of the committee shall be appointed by the Secretary of Education.

Sec. 10. No Discrimination. There shall be no discrimination whatsoever in entrance to the teaching profession, or during its exercise, or in the termination of services, based on other than professional consideration.

Sec. 11. Married Teachers. Whenever possible, the proper authorities shall take all steps to enable married couples, both of whom are public school teachers, to be employed in the same locality.

Sec. 12. Academic Freedom. Teachers shall enjoy academic freedom in the discharge of their professional duties, particularly with regard to teaching and classroom methods.

III. HOURS OF WORK AND REMUNERATION

Sec. 13. Teaching Hours. Any teacher engaged in actual classroom instruction shall not be required to render more than six hours of actual classroom teaching a day, which shall be so scheduled as to give him time for the preparation and correction of exercises and other work incidental to his normal teaching duties: Provided,however, That where the exigencies of the service so require, any teacher may be required to render more than six hours but not exceeding eight hours of actual classroom teaching a day upon payment of additional compensation at the same rate as his regular remuneration plus at least twenty-five per cent of his basic pay.

Sec. 14. Additional Compensation. Notwithstanding any provision of existing law to the contrary, co-curricula and out of school activities and any other activities outside of what is defined as normal duties of any teacher shall be paid an additional compensation of at least twenty-five per cent of his regular remuneration after the teacher has completed at least six hours of actual classroom teaching a day.

In the case of other teachers or school officials not engaged in actual classroom instruction, any work performed in excess of eight hours a day shall be paid an additional compensation of at least twenty-five per cent of their regular remuneration.

The agencies utilizing the services of teachers shall pay the additional compensation required under this section. Education authorities shall refuse to allow the rendition of services of teachers for other government agencies without the assurance that the teachers shall be paid the remuneration provided for under this section.

Sec. 15. Criteria for Salaries. Teacher’s salaries shall correspond to the following criteria:

(a) they shall compare favorably with those paid in other occupations requiring equivalent or similar qualifications, training and abilities;
(b) they shall be such as to insure teachers a reasonable standard of life for themselves and their families; and
(c) they shall be properly graded so as to recognize the fact that certain positions require higher qualifications and greater responsibility than others: Provided, however, That the general salary scale shall be such that the relation between the lowest and highest salaries paid in the profession will be of reasonable order. Narrowing of the salary scale shall be achieved by raising the lower end of the salary scales relative to the upper end.

Sec. 16. Salary Scale. Salary scales of teachers shall provide for a gradual progression from a minimum to a maximum salary by means of regular increments, granted automatically after three years: Provided, That the efficiency rating of the teacher concerned is at least satisfactory. The progression from the minimum to the maximum of the salary scale shall not extend over a period of ten years.

Sec. 17. Equality in Salary Scales. The salary scales of teachers whose salaries are appropriated by a city, municipal, municipal district, or provincial government, shall not be less than those provided for teachers of the National Government.

Sec. 18. Cost of Living Allowance. Teacher’s salaries shall, at the very least, keep pace with the rise in the cost of living by the payment of a cost-of-living allowance which shall automatically follow changes in a cost-of-living index. The Secretary of Education shall, in consultation with the proper government entities, recommend to Congress, at least annually, the appropriation of the necessary funds for the cost-of-living allowances of teachers employed by the National Government. The determination of the cost-of-living allowances by the Secretary of Education shall, upon approval of the President of the Philippines, be binding on the city, municipal or provincial government, for the purposes of calculating the cost-of-living allowances of teachers under its employ.

Sec. 19. Special Hardship Allowances. In areas in which teachers are exposed to hardship such as difficulty in commuting to the place of work or other hazards peculiar to the place of employment, as determined by the Secretary of Education, they shall be compensated special hardship allowances equivalent to at least twenty-five per cent of their monthly salary.

Sec. 20. Salaries to be Paid in Legal Tender. Salaries of teachers shall be paid in legal tender of the Philippines or its equivalent in checks or treasury warrants. Provided, however, That such checks or treasury warrants shall be cashable in any national, provincial, city or municipal treasurer’s office or any banking institutions operating under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.

Sec. 21. Deductions Prohibited. No person shall make any deduction whatsoever from the salaries of teachers except under specific authority of law authorizing such deductions: Provided, however, That upon written authority executed by the teacher concerned, (1) lawful dues and fees owing to the Philippine Public School Teachers Association, and (2) premiums properly due on insurance policies, shall be considered deductible.

IV. HEALTH MEASURES AND INJURY BENEFITS

Sec. 22. Medical Examination and Treatment. Compulsory medical examination shall be provided free of charge for all teachers before they take up teaching, and shall be repeated not less than once a year during the teacher’s professional life. Where medical examination show that medical treatment and/or hospitalization is necessary, same shall be provided free by the government entity paying the salary of the teachers.

In regions where there is scarcity of medical facilities, teachers may obtain elsewhere the necessary medical care with the right to be reimbursed for their traveling expenses by the government entity concerned in the first paragraph of this Section.

Sec. 23. Compensation For Injuries. Teachers shall be protected against the consequences of employment injuries in accordance with existing laws. The effects of the physical and nervous strain on the teacher’s health shall be recognized as a compensable occupational disease in accordance with existing laws.

V. LEAVE AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Sec. 24. Study Leave. In addition to the leave privileges now enjoyed by teachers in the public schools, they shall be entitled to study leave not exceeding one school year after seven years of service. Such leave shall be granted in accordance with a schedule set by the Department of Education. During the period of such leave, the teachers shall be entitled to at least sixty per cent of their monthly salary: Provided, however, That no teacher shall be allowed to accumulate more than one year study leave, unless he needs an additional semester to finish his thesis for a graduate study in education or allied courses: Provided, further, That no compensation shall be due the teacher after the first year of such leave. In all cases, the study leave period shall be counted for seniority and pension purposes.
The compensation allowed for one year study leave as herein provided shall be subject to the condition that the teacher takes the regular study load and passes at least seventy-five per cent of his courses. Study leave of more than one year may be permitted by the Secretary of Education but without compensation.

Sec. 25. Indefinite Leave. An indefinite sick leave of absence shall be granted to teachers when the nature of the illness demands a long treatment that will exceed one year at the least.

Sec. 26. Salary Increase upon Retirement. Public school teachers having fulfilled the age and service requirements of the applicable retirement laws shall be given one range salary raise upon retirement, which shall be the basis of the computation of the lump sum of the retirement pay and the monthly benefits thereafter.

VI. TEACHER’S ORGANIZATION

Sec. 27. Freedom to Organize. Public school teachers shall have the right to freely and without previous authorization both to establish and to join organizations of their choosing, whether local or national to further and defend their interests.

Sec. 28. Discrimination Against Teachers Prohibited. The rights established in the immediately preceding Section shall be exercised without any interference or coercion. It shall be unlawful for any person to commit any acts of discrimination against teachers which are calculated to (a) make the employment of a teacher subject to the condition that he shall not join an organization, or shall relinquish membership in an organization, (b) to cause the dismissal of or otherwise prejudice a teacher by reason of his membership in an organization or because of participation in organization activities outside school hours, or with the consent of the proper school authorities, within school hours, and (c) to prevent him from carrying out the duties laid upon him by his position in the organization, or to penalize him for an action undertaken in that capacity.

Sec. 29. National Teacher’s Organizations. National teachers’ organizations shall be consulted in the formulation of national educational policies and professional standards, and in the formulation of national policies governing the social security of the teachers.

VII. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Sec. 30. Rules and Regulations. The Secretary of Education shall formulate and prepare the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. Rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Section shall take effect thirty days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation and by such other means as the Secretary of Education deems reasonably sufficient to give interested parties general notice of such issuance.

Sec. 31. Budgetary Estimates. The Secretary of Education shall submit to Congress annually the necessary budgetary estimates to implement the provisions of the Act concerning the benefits herein granted to public school teachers under the employ of the National Government.

Sec. 32. Penal Provision. A person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or coerce any teacher in the exercise of his rights guaranteed by this Act or who shall in any other manner commit any act to defeat any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred pesos nor more than one thousand pesos, or by imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.

If the offender is a public official, the court shall order his dismissal from the Government service.

Sec. 33. Repealing Clause. All Acts or parts of Acts, executive orders and their implementing rules inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 34. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and in effect.

Sec. 35. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 18, 1966

The Magna Carta for Public School Teachers Activities and Assessment

Activity 1.

THROWBACK

Recall a time when you were recruited and employed at DepEd. What were the challenges and problems you encountered and how did you overcome them.

1. Illustrate the process experienced on the manner you were recruited, selected, and appointed.

2. Illustrate the things and objects symbolic of the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment you have experienced. For example, a small stone signifies an easy process and a huge to very huge stone indicates the degree of difficulty on a particular stage of your recruitment, selection, and appointment.

Activity 2.

Answer the following questions by putting a check mark inside the circle if you Agree or Disagree to the following statements and then justify your answer on the space provided.

1. As teachers are professionals and hired as the right people to the right position, it follows that in exercising professionalism in teaching, they need to know the standards that they need to teach, and the need to know on how to teach in the most effective ways.

2. Being well-compensated in monetary and other benefits in teaching, it is a must for teachers to render exemplary performance.

3. If the teachers teach well in their 6 hours of actual teaching loads and care more about their students, the result would bring a favorable impact to students to do well and to do better in their studies.

4. These are the following criteria with respective points used in the evaluation and selection procedure in the hiring of Teacher 1. Education 20%, Teaching Experience 15%, LET/PBET Rating 15%, Specialized Training Skills 10%, Interview 10%, Demonstration Teaching 15%, and Communication Skills 15%.

5. No teacher may be transferred without his or her consent. Should there be an urgent need or demand for transfer, the school superintendent must notify the teacher beforehand and state the reasons.

6. Any dues can be deducted to teachers aside from what is stipulated by law.

7. If a teacher reaches the age and service requirements for retirement, he or she is allowed to enjoy the one-range salary raise.

8. It is just to pay additional compensation to a teacher who renders 8 hours of actual teaching.

9. If a teacher is married to one who is also a public school teacher, they are not allowed to teach in the same school.

10. During disciplinary procedures, teachers are not entitled to due process and must not be given a written notice, a time to access evidence, to make a defense, a time for preparation and appeal.

Activity 3.

Direction: Challenge yourself by justifying your answer to uphold the integrity and professional duties of a teacher.

1. Any teacher engaged in actual classroom instruction shall not be required to render more than 6 hours of actual classroom teaching per day with all the classroom teaching preparation, checking of given exercises and other related work to their normal teaching duties. Provided however, that where the exigencies of the service so require, any teacher may be required to render more than 6 hours but not exceeding 8 hours of actual teaching hours a day. How does this affect your integrity and professional duties as a teacher?

2. There shall be no discrimination whatsoever in the entrance to the teaching profession, and/or during in exercising its duties or even in the termination of tenure in service. Does this affect your integrity and professional duties as a teacher?

3. As a teacher you submitted yourself in the evaluation and hiring process of your Schools Division by following what was stipulated in DO 7, s. 2015. In the RQA, you were ranked number 1. It so happened the appointing authority selected and appointed the teacher next in rank to you. Did the appointing authority violate your rights as a teacher? Does this affect your integrity and professional duties as a teacher?

4. DepEd provides the curricula to be implemented and teachers are encouraged to be innovative in their teaching and classroom methods. The department supports the academic freedom of the teacher in the discharge of their professional duties, particularly with regard to teaching and classroom management. Does this affect your integrity and professional duties?

5. Salary scales of teachers shall provide for a gradual progression from a minimum to a maximum salary by means of regular increments, granted automatically after 3 years to the maximum steps, as provided by law. Provided, that the efficiency rating of the teacher concerned is at least Satisfactory. How true is this? Does this affect your integrity and professional duties as a teacher?

Reflection

In the Department of Education, we are saddened to hear news of malpractices of teachers in the profession. Let us uplift ourselves and our profession. Write your commitment to complete the paragraph below.

As member of the DepEd learning community, I commit myself to help realize the DepEd mission and vision. I promise to

Post-Test