As the country gears up for the World Teachers’ Day on October 5, a party-list lawmaker has called for the passage of the Magna Carta for Private School Teachers to help stem the exodus of teachers in search of higher paying jobs.
“The sad reality in our country is that being a private school teacher amounts to heroic sacrifice, not only of financial security, but also career advancement, especially for our private school teachers who lack the protection and advantages that their public school counterparts have,” said Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos, author of House Bill No. 3116.
According to Bernos, the Magna Carta seeks to improve the quality of life of private school teachers and provide safeguards against inequitable treatment.
Bernos also said that public school teachers’ salaries will serve as a benchmark in determining the remuneration for their private school counterparts, with annual salary adjustments to mitigate the effects of inflation.
The lawmaker also said that the proposal is “an urgent intervention” given the need for fundamental standards regarding private teacher employment and working conditions such as criteria in the setting of salaries; monetary benefits and leave benefits; their right to self-organization; and other penalties for violation of any rights of private school teachers.
Among the major provisions of the Magna Carta are the setting of working hours at a maximum of six teaching hours per day. Teachers 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 or her regular remuneration plus at least twenty-five percent of the basic pay.
The probationary period is also set at six months, with teachers who are engaged after the said period deemed regularized.
The bill also calls for the provision of hardship allowances for teachers faced with challenges in commuting to their place of work, conducting laboratory experiments, or other hazards.
Bernos also said that public school teachers’ salaries will serve as a benchmark in determining the remuneration for their private school counterparts, with annual salary adjustments to mitigate the effects of inflation.
The solon called on the House leadership to prioritize the passage of the bill as a gift to private school teachers in recognition of their “valuable work in shaping our youth.”
“Umaasa ako na sa pagdiwang natin ng World Teachers’ Day, magkaisa tayo sa layunin na kilalanin at suportahan ang mga dakilang bayani na katuwang ng bawat pamilya sa pagsiguro ng kinabukasan ng kabataan.”
