Magna Carta for Public School Teachers

Department of Education defines recruitment and selection policies.
Minimum qualifications:
- Kindergarten/elementary: Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.
- Secondary: Bachelor’s in Education or equivalent with major/minor or Bachelor’s in Arts/Science with professional education units.
- Vocational/technical secondary: Bachelor’s in specialization with professional units.
- Collegiate (non-vocational): Master’s with specialization.
Temporary appointments allowed if no qualified applicants available.
Competitive exams may be required; results public.

No probation period if teacher has civil service eligibility and adequate training.
Without eligibility, provisional appointment with at least one-year probation required.
Security of tenure ensured by law.
Provisional appointees may attain permanent appointment after ten years of efficient service.

Transfers require teacher’s consent unless justified by cause.
School superintendent must notify teacher with reasons before transfer.
Teacher may appeal transfer decision; transfers suspended during election periods.
Government pays transfer expenses if transfer approved.

Secretary of Education to issue a Code of Professional Conduct within six months.
Teachers entitled to a copy or accessible copies at school.
Due process rights in disciplinary actions include:
- Written notice of charges.
- Access to evidence.
- Right to defense and representation.
- Adequate time to prepare defense.
- Right to appeal.
No publicity during pending disciplinary cases.
Administrative charges initially heard by a committee including Superintendent, teachers’ organization representative, and division supervisor.
Special provisions if Superintendent is complainant.

No discrimination on non-professional grounds in hiring, retention, or termination.
Authorities encouraged to employ married teacher couples in same locality when possible.
Teachers enjoy academic freedom in professional duties, especially teaching and classroom methods.

Maximum six hours actual classroom teaching; scheduled to allow preparation time.
May require up to eight hours with additional pay (regular rate plus at least 25%).
Activities beyond regular duties, including co-curricular and out-of-school activities, compensated with additional pay.
Salary criteria include competitiveness with similar occupations, reasonable living standards, and graded scales recognizing responsibilities.
Salary progression via regular increments every three years over ten years, subject to satisfactory performance.
Local government-paid teachers must receive salaries not lower than national standards.
Cost-of-living allowance to follow cost-of-living index automatically.
Special hardship allowances of at least 25% of monthly salary for difficult or hazardous work locations.
Salaries paid in legal Philippine tender or cashable checks/warrants.
Unauthorized salary deductions prohibited except lawful dues and insurance premiums with teacher’s written consent.

Free compulsory medical examinations pre-employment and annually.
Free medical treatment and hospitalization as needed.
Reimbursement for travel to medical facilities in underserved regions.
Protection from employment-related injury consequences; recognition of physical and nervous strain as compensable occupational hazards.

Study leave up to one school year after seven years of service, with 60% of salary during leave.
Study leave must be used within prescribed schedules and requires satisfactory academic performance.
Additional study leave up to one semester allowed for thesis completion but without pay.
Indefinite sick leave granted for illnesses requiring long-term treatment.
Salary increase of one range upon retirement, used in retirement pay and benefits computations.

Teachers have the right to freely form and join organizations without prior authorization.
Protection against discrimination or coercion related to organizational membership or activities.
Unlawful to make employment conditional on organizational non-membership or to penalize participation.
National teachers’ organizations to be consulted on educational policies and social security matters.

Secretary of Education tasked to issue implementing rules and regulations.
Regulations take effect 30 days after publication.
Annual budget estimates to be submitted for teacher benefits implementation.
Penal provision: fines or imprisonment, and dismissal if public official, for acts interfering with teachers’ rights under the Act.
Repeals inconsistent laws, orders, or rules.
Separability clause ensures law’s validity even if parts are invalidated.