Chapter 4

The rights and privileges

of teachers in the
Philippines

FTC 3 – The Teaching Profession

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

I. DECLARATION OF POLICY COVERAGE

II. RECRUITMENT AND CAREER
III. HOURS OF WORK AND REMUNERATION
IV. HEALTH MEASURES AND INJURY
BENEFITS
V. LEAVE AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
VI. TEACHER'S ORGANIZATION
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4670
.
DECLARATION OF
POLICY COVERAGE
Section 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.
Section 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.
• but shall not include school nurses, school
physicians, school dentists, and other school
employees.
.
RECRUITMENT
AND CAREER
Section 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 minimum educational
qualifications for teacher-applicants:

(a) For teachers in the kindergarten and elementary

grades, Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education
(BEEd);
(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;
• In the absence of applicants
who possess the minimum
educational qualifications.

• The school superintendent may

appoint, under a temporary
status.
• Preference in making
appointments shall be in the
order of their respective ranks in
said competitive examinations

• The results of the examinations

shall be made public and every
applicant shall be furnished with
his score and rank in said
examinations.
Section 4. Probationary Period.

No probationary period
preceding regular appointment
shall be imposed if the teacher
possesses the appropriate civil
service eligibility.
Section 4. Probationary Period.

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.
Section 5. Tenure of Office.

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.
Section 6. Consent for Transfer
Transportation Expenses.

No teacher shall be
transferred without his consent
from one station to another.

It notify the teacher

concerned of the transfer and
the reason or reasons therefor.
Section 6. Consent for Transfer
Transportation Expenses.

If the teacher believes there

is no justification for the
transfer, he may appeal his
case.

No transfers whatever shall

be made three months before
any local or national election.
Section 7. Code of Professional
Conduct for Teachers.

A copy of the Code shall be

furnished each teacher: 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.
Section 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.
Section 9. Administrative Charges.

Administrative charges against a

teacher shall be heard initially by a
committee composed of the
corresponding School
Superintendent.
Section 9. Administrative Charges.

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.
Section 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.
Section 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.
Section 12. Academic Freedom.

Teachers shall enjoy academic

freedom in the discharge of
their professional duties,
particularly with regard to
teaching and classroom
methods.
.
HOURS OF WORK AND
REMUNERATION
Section 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.
Section 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.
Section 18. Cost of Living
Allowance.

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.
Section 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.
Section 20. Salaries to be Paid in
Legal Tender

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.
Section 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.
.
HEALTH MEASURES
AND INJURY BENEFITS
Section 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.
Section 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.
.
LEAVE AND
RETIREMENT
BENEFITS
Section 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.
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
Section 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.
Section 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.
.
TEACHER'S
ORGANIZATION
Section 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.
THAT’S ALL
THANKYOU!