Educational Laws

Code of Ethics of Professional Teachers

Pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (e), Article 11, of R.A. No. 7836,
otherwise known as the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994 and
paragraph (a), section 6, P.D. No. 223, as amended, the Board for Professional
Teachers hereby adopt the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers.
Preamble
Teachers are duly licensed professionals who possesses dignity and reputation
with high moral values as well as technical and professional competence in the
practice of their noble profession, and they strictly adhere to, observe, and
practice this set of ethical and moral principles, standards, and values.
Article I: Scope and Limitations
Section 1. The Philippine Constitution provides that all educational institution
shall offer quality education for all competent teachers. Committed to its full
realization, the provision of this Code shall apply, therefore, to all teachers in
schools in the Philippines.

Section 2. This Code covers all public and private school teachers in all
educational institutions at the preschool, primary, elementary, and secondary
levels whether academic, vocational, special, technical, or non-formal. The term
“teacher” shall include industrial arts or vocational teachers and all other persons
performing supervisory and /or administrative functions in all school at the
aforesaid levels, whether on full time or part-time basis.
Article II: The Teacher and the State
Section 1. The schools are the nurseries of the future citizens of the state; each
teacher is a trustee of the cultural and educational heritage of the nation and is
under obligation to transmit to learners such heritage as well as to elevate
national morality, promote national pride, cultivate love of country, instill
allegiance to the constitution and for all duly constituted authorities, and promote
obedience to the laws of the state.

Section 2. Every teacher or school official shall actively help carry out the
declared policies of the state, and shall take an oath to this effect.

Section 3. In the interest of the State and of the Filipino people as much as of his
own, every teacher shall be physically, mentally and morally fit.

Section 4. Every teacher shall possess and actualize a full commitment and
devotion to duty.

Section 5. A teacher shall not engage in the promotion of any political, religious,
or other partisan interest, and shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, require,
collect, or receive any money or service or other valuable material from any
person or entity for such purposes.

Section 6. Every teacher shall vote and shall exercise all other constitutional
rights and responsibility.

Section 7. A teacher shall not use his position or official authority or influence to

98 | P a g e
coerce any other person to follow any political course of action.

Section 8. Every teacher shall enjoy academic freedom and shall have privilege
of expounding the product of his researches and investigations; provided that, if
the results are inimical to the declared policies of the State, they shall be brought
to the proper authorities for appropriate remedial action.
Article III: The Teacher and the Community
Section 1. A teacher is a facilitator of learning and of the development of the
youth; he shall, therefore, render the best service by providing an environment
conducive to such learning and growth.

Section 2. Every teacher shall provide leadership and initiative to actively

participate in community movements for moral, social, educational, economic
and civic betterment.

Section 3. Every teacher shall merit reasonable social recognition for which
purpose he shall behave with honor and dignity at all times and refrain from such
activities as gambling, smoking, drunkenness, and other excesses, much less
illicit relations.

Section 4. Every teacher shall live for and with the community and shall,
therefore, study and understand local customs and traditions in order to have
sympathetic attitude, therefore, refrain from disparaging the community.

Section 5. Every teacher shall help the school keep the people in the community
informed about the school’s work and accomplishments as well as its needs and
problems.

Section 6. Every teacher is intellectual leader in the community, especially in the

barangay, and shall welcome the opportunity to provide such leadership when
needed, to extend counseling services, as appropriate, and to actively be
involved in matters affecting the welfare of the people.

Section 7. Every teacher shall maintain harmonious and pleasant personal and
official relations with other professionals, with government officials, and with the
people, individually or collectively.

Section 8. A teacher posses freedom to attend church and worships as

appropriate, but shall not use his positions and influence to proselyte others.
Article IV: A Teacher and the Profession
Section 1. Every teacher shall actively insure that teaching is the noblest
profession, and shall manifest genuine enthusiasm and pride in teaching as a
noble calling.

Section 2. Every teacher shall uphold the highest possible standards of quality
education, shall make the best preparations for the career of teaching, and shall
be at his best at all times and in the practice of his profession.

Section 3. Every teacher shall participate in the Continuing Professional

Education (CPE) program of the Professional Regulation Commission, and shall
pursue such other studies as will improve his efficiency, enhance the prestige of
the profession, and strengthen his competence, virtues, and productivity in order
to be nationally and internationally competitive.

Section 4. Every teacher shall help, if duly authorized, to seek support from the
school, but shall not make improper misrepresentations through personal
advertisements and other questionable means.

99 | P a g e
Section 5. Every teacher shall use the teaching profession in a manner that
makes it dignified means for earning a decent living.

Article V: The Teachers and the Profession

Section 1. Teachers shall, at all times, be imbued with the spirit of professional
loyalty, mutual confidence, and faith in one another, self-sacrifice for the common
good, and full cooperation with colleagues. When the best interest of the
learners, the school, or the profession is at stake in any controversy, teachers
shall support one another.

Section 2. A teacher is not entitled to claim credit or work not of his own, and
shall give due credit for the work of others which he may use.

Section 3. Before leaving his position, a teacher shall organize for whoever
assumes the position such records and other data as are necessary to carry on
the work.

Section 4. A teacher shall hold inviolate all confidential information concerning

associates and the school, and shall not divulge to anyone documents which has
not been officially released, or remove records from files without permission.

Section 5. It shall be the responsibility of every teacher to seek correctives for

what may appear to be an unprofessional and unethical conduct of any
associate. However, this may be done only if there is incontrovertible evidence
for such conduct.

Section 6. A teacher may submit to the proper authorities any justifiable criticism
against an associate, preferably in writing, without violating the right of the
individual concerned.

Section 7. A teacher may apply for a vacant position for which he is qualified;
provided that he respects the system of selection on the basis of merit and
competence; provided, further, that all qualified candidates are given the
opportunity to be considered.
Article VI: The Teacher and Higher Authorities in the Profession
Section 1. Every teacher shall make it his duty to make an honest effort to
understand and support the legitimate policies of the school and the
administration regardless of personal feeling or private opinion and shall faithfully
carry them out.

Section 2. A teacher shall not make any false accusations or charges against
superiors, especially under anonymity. However, if there are valid charges, he
should present such under oath to competent authority.

Section 3. A teacher shall transact all official business through channels except
when special conditions warrant a different procedure, such as when special
conditions are advocated but are opposed by immediate superiors, in which
case, the teacher shall appeal directly to the appropriate higher authority.

Section 4. Every teacher, individually or as part of a group, has a right to seek

redress against injustice to the administration and to extent possible, shall raise
grievances within acceptable democratic possesses. In doing so, they shall avoid
jeopardizing the interest and the welfare of learners whose right to learn must be
respected.

Section 5. Every teacher has a right to invoke the principle that appointments,

100 | P a g e
promotions, and transfer of teachers are made only on the basis of merit and
needed in the interest of the service.

Section 6. A teacher who accepts a position assumes a contractual obligation to

live up to his contract, assuming full knowledge of employment terms and
conditions.

Article VII: School Officials, Teachers, and Other Personnel

Section 1. All school officials shall at all times show professional courtesy,
helpfulness and sympathy towards teachers and other personnel, such practices
being standards of effective school supervision, dignified administration,
responsible leadership and enlightened directions.

Section 2. School officials, teachers, and other school personnel shall consider it
their cooperative responsibility to formulate policies or introduce important
changes in the system at all levels.

Section 3. School officials shall encourage and attend the professional growth of
all teachers under them such as recommending them for promotion, giving them
due recognition for meritorious performance, and allowing them to participate in
conferences in training programs.

Section 4. No school officials shall dismiss or recommend for dismissal a teacher

or other subordinates except for cause.

Section 5. School authorities concern shall ensure that public school teachers
are employed in accordance with pertinent civil service rules, and private school
teachers are issued contracts specifying the terms and conditions of their work;
provided that they are given, if qualified, subsequent permanent tenure, in
accordance with existing laws.

Article VIII: The Teachers and Learners

Section 1. A teacher has a right and duty to determine the academic marks and
the promotions of learners in the subject or grades he handles, provided that
such determination shall be in accordance with generally accepted procedures of
evaluation and measurement. In case of any complaint, teachers concerned shall
immediately take appropriate actions, observing due process.

Section 2. A teacher shall recognize that the interest and welfare of learners are
of first and foremost concern, and shall deal justifiably and impartially with each
of them.

Section 3. Under no circumstance shall a teacher be prejudiced or discriminate

against a learner.

Section 4. A teacher shall not accept favors or gifts from learners, their parents or
others in their behalf in exchange for requested concessions, especially if
undeserved.

Section 5. A teacher shall not accept, directly or indirectly, any remuneration from
tutorials other what is authorized for such service.

Section 6. A teacher shall base the evaluation of the learner’s work only in merit
and quality of academic performance.

101 | P a g e
Section 7. In a situation where mutual attraction and subsequent love develop
between teacher and learner, the teacher shall exercise utmost professional
discretion to avoid scandal, gossip and preferential treatment of the learner.

Section 8. A teacher shall not inflict corporal punishment on offending learners

nor make deductions from their scholastic ratings as a punishment for acts which
are clearly not manifestation of poor scholarship.

Section 9. A teacher shall ensure that conditions contribute to the maximum

development of learners are adequate, and shall extend needed assistance in
preventing or solving learner’s problems and difficulties.
Article IX: The Teachers and Parents
Section 1. Every teacher shall establish and maintain cordial relations with
parents, and shall conduct himself to merit their confidence and respect.

Section 2. Every teacher shall inform parents, through proper authorities, of the
progress and deficiencies of learner under him, exercising utmost candor and
tact in pointing out the learner's deficiencies and in seeking parent’s cooperation
for the proper guidance and improvement of the learners.

Section 3. A teacher shall hear parent’s complaints with sympathy and

understanding, and shall discourage unfair criticism.
Article X: The Teacher and Business
Section 1. A teacher has the right to engage, directly or indirectly, in legitimate
income generation; provided that it does not relate to or adversely affect his work
as a teacher.

Section 2. A teacher shall maintain a good reputation with respect to the financial
matters such as in the settlement of his debts and loans in arranging
satisfactorily his private financial affairs.

Section 3. No teacher shall act, directly or indirectly, as agent of, or be financially

interested in, any commercial venture which furnish textbooks and other school
commodities in the purchase and disposal of which he can exercise official
influence, except only when his assignment is inherently, related to such
purchase and disposal; provided they shall be in accordance with the existing
regulations; provided, further, that members of duly recognized teachers
cooperatives may participate in the distribution and sale of such commodities.
Article XI: The Teacher as a Person
Section 1. A teacher is, above all, a human being endowed with life for which it is
the highest obligation to live with dignity at all times whether in school, in the
home, or elsewhere.

Section 2. A teacher shall place premium upon self-discipline as the primary

principle of personal behavior in all relationships with others and in all situations.

Section 3. A teacher shall maintain at all times a dignified personality which could
serve as a model worthy of emulation by learners, peers and all others.

Section 4. A teacher shall always recognize the Almighty God as guide of his
own destiny and of the destinies of men and nations.
Article XII: Disciplinary Actions
Section 1. Any violation of any provision of this code shall be sufficient ground for
the imposition against the erring teacher of the disciplinary action consisting of
revocation of his Certification of Registration and License as a Professional
Teacher, suspension from the practice of teaching profession, or reprimand or

102 | P a g e
cancellation of his temporary/special permit under causes specified in Sec. 23,
Article III or R.A. No. 7836, and under Rule 31, Article VIII, of the Rules and
Regulations Implementing R.A. 7836.
Article XIII: Effectivity
Section 1. This Code shall take effect upon approval by the Professional
Regulation Commission and after sixty (60) days following its publication in the
Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation, whichever is earlier.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9293

(AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT
NUMBERED SEVENTY-EIGHT HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIX (R A.
NO. 7836), OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPPINE
TEACHERS PROFESSIONALIZATION ACT OF 1994")
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 15, (e) (3) of Republic Act No. 7836 is hereby amended as
follows:
"SEC. 15. Qualification Requirements of Applicants. - No applicant shall be
admitted to take the examination unless, on the date of filing of the application,
he shall have complied with the following requirements:

"(e) A graduate of a school, college or university recognized by the government

and possesses the minimum educational qualifications, as follows:
1. For teachers in preschool, a bachelor's degree in early childhood
education (BECED) or its equivalent;
2. For teachers in the elementary grades, a bachelor's degree in elementary
education (BSEED) or its equivalent;
3. For teachers in the secondary grades, a bachelor's degree in education or
its equivalent with a major and minor, or a bachelor degree in arts and
sciences with at least eighteen (18) units in professional education; and
4. For teachers of vocational and two-year technical courses, a bachelor's
degree in the field of specialization or its equivalent, with at least eighteen
(18) units in professional education."
SEC. 2. Section 26 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 26. Registration and Exception. - No person shall engage in teaching
and/or act as a professional teacher as defined in this Act, whether in the
preschool, elementary or secondary level, unless the person is a duly registered
professional teacher, and a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a valid
professional license or a holder of a valid special/temporary permit.

Upon approval of the application and payment of the prescribed fees, the
certificate of registration and professional license as a professional teacher shall
be issued without examination as required in this Act to a qualified applicant, who
is:
a. A holder of a certificate of eligibility as a teacher issued by the Civil
Service Commission and the Department of Education, Culture and
Sports; or
b. A registered professional teacher with the National Board for Teachers
under the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) pursuant
to Presidential Decree No. 1006.

103 | P a g e
Professional teachers who have not practiced their profession for the past five (5)
years shall take at least twelve (12) units of education courses, consisting of at
least six (6) units of pedagogy and six (6) units of content courses, or the
equivalent training and number of hours, to be chosen from a list of courses to be
provided by the Board and the Department of Education, before they can be
allowed to practice their profession in the country.

Those who have failed the licensure examination for professional teachers, with
a rating of not lower than five percentage points from the passing general
average rating, shall be eligible as para-teachers upon issuance by the Board of
a two-year special permit, renewable for a non-extendible period of two (2) years.
The para-teachers shall be assigned to areas where there is a shortage or
absence of a professional teacher, as identified and provided by the Department
of Education and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
education department to the Board for professional teachers and to the
Commission. The special permit shall indicate the area of assignment of the
para-teacher.

A special permit may also be issued by the Board to a person who has excelled
and gained international recognition and is a widely acknowledged expert in his
or her respective field of specialization."
SEC. 3. Section 31 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 31. Transitory Provision. - Special permits, with a validity of three (3) and
five (5) years, issued to para-teachers by the Board for Professional Teachers
before the effectivity of this Act shall be allowed to Expire based on the period
granted therein: Provided, That only special permits with a validity of three (3)
years may be renewed upon expiration for a non-extendible period of two (2)
years."
SEC. 4. References to the term "Department of Education, Culture and Sports",
in Section 4 (a) and Section 25, and the term "DECS" in Section 20, of the same
Act, are hereby amended to read as "Department of Education" and "DepEd",
respectively.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section or provision of this
Act or the application of such section or provision to any person or circumstance
is declared unconstitutional or invalid, no other section or provision of this Act
shall be affected thereby.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, circulars, administrative orders,

rules and regulations, and other issuances which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect upon approval.

Approved,
(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON (Sgd.) JOSE DE VENECIA JR.
President of the Senate Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2698 and House Bill No. 5411
was finally passed by the Senate and House of Representatives on February 6,
2004 and February 7, 2004, respectively.
(Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES (Sgd.) ROBERTO P. NAZARENO
Secretary General House of
Secretary of the Senate
Representatives

Approved: APR 21 2004

104 | P a g e
 (Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Philippines

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO 1006

(PROVIDING FOR THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF TEACHERS,
REGULATING THEIR PRACTICE IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES)
WHEREAS, the Constitution provides that "All educational institutions shall be
under the supervision of; and subject to regulation by, the State", and requires
that "the State shall establish and maintain a complete, adequate and integrated
system of education relevant to the goals of national development";
WHEREAS, in the pursuit on these objectives, the Department of Education and
Culture has adopted ways and means of overseeing all the educational
institutions in the country;
WHEREAS, this supervisory function of the DEC has been primarily beamed
towards insuring that the educational institutions inculcate in the studentry love of
the country, teach the duties of citizenship, and develop moral character,
personal discipline, and scientific, technological and vocational efficiency;
WHEREAS, to implement these objectives, the institutions have relied upon their
teachers whose direct and continuing interaction with the young people and the
children make them potent forces for the development of proper attitudes among
the citizenry;
WHEREAS, this accounts for the tremendous growth of the teaching population,
comprising in the civil service sector alone more than 300,000 teachers deployed
all over the country;
WHEREAS, to insure that in the immediacy and urgency of teacher recruitment
qualitative requirements are not overlooked, it has become necessary to regulate
the teaching profession;
WHEREAS, although teaching requires a number of years of collegiate study, it
is the only course that it is not yet considered a profession;
WHEREAS, in recognition of the vital role of teachers in nation-building and as
an incentive to raise the morale of teachers, it is imperative that they be
considered as professionals and teaching be recognized as a profession.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines,
by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree and
order:
Section 1. Title. This Decree shall be known as the Decree Professionalizing
Teaching.
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared a policy that teacher
education shall be given primary concern and attention by the government and
shall be of the highest quality, and strongly oriented to Philippine conditions and
to the needs and aspirations of the Filipino people even as it seeks enrichment
from adoptable ideas and practices of other people.
Section 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Decree, the following shall be
construed as follows:
(a) Teaching refers to the profession primarily concerned with the
classroom instruction, at the elementary and secondary levels, in
accordance with the curriculum prescribed by National Board of
Education, whether on part-time or full-time basis in the public or
private schools.
(b) Teachers refers to all persons engaged in teaching at the
elementary and secondary levels, whether on a full-time or part-
time basis, including guidance counselors, school librarians,
industrial arts or vocational teachers and all other persons
performing supervisory and/or administrative functions in all

105 | P a g e
 schools in the aforesaid levels and legally qualified to practice
teaching under this Decree.
(c)Board refers to the National Board for Teachers duly constituted
under this Decree.

Section 4. Creation of the National Board for Teachers. There is hereby created
a National Board for Teachers, hereinafter called the Board, to be composed of
the following:

1) Secretary of Education and Culture

Co-Chairman
2) Chairman, Civil Service Commission
3) Commissioner, Professional Regulations
Commission
Member
4) Two members representing the private sector
to be appointed by the President

Section 5. Powers and Duties. The Board shall have the following powers and
duties:
(a) Appoint a set of examiners for every examination who will
determine and prepare the contents of the Board examination for
teachers, hereinafter referred to as examination, in the elementary
and secondary levels of instruction, to be held at least once a year;
(b) Determine and fix the places and dates of examination, appoint
supervisors and room examiners from among the employees of the
Government who shall be entitled to a daily allowance to be fixed
by the Board for every examination day actually attended, use the
buildings and facilities of public and private schools for examination
purposes, approve applications to take examination, and approve
the release of examination results;
(c) Look from time to time into the conditions affecting the practice
of the teaching profession, adopt such measures as may be
deemed proper for the enhancement of said profession, and/or
maintenance of the professional standards and ethics;
(d) Issue, suspend, revoke, replace or reissue Professional
Teachers Certificate, and administer oaths;
(e) Appoint, subject to the provisions of existing laws, such officials
and employees as are necessary in the effective performance of its
functions and responsibilities, prescribe their duties and fix their
compensation;
(f) Prescribe and collect examination and other fees as it may deem
proper; and
(g) Promulgate rules and regulations, and exercise such other
powers, functions and duties as may be necessary to carry into
effect the purposes of this Decree.
Section 6. Qualification requirements for examination applicants. No applicant
shall be admitted to take the examination unless, on the date of filing of the
application, he shall have complied with the following requirements:
(a) Except those who have been engaged in teaching as herein
defined for at least five years in schools in the Philippines not
organized exclusively for nationals of a foreign country at the time
of the effectivity of this Decree, the applicant must be a citizen of
the Philippines;
(b) That he is of good moral character;
(c) That he is free from any physical and/or mental defect which will
incapacitate him to render efficient service; and
106 | P a g e
 (d) That he possesses the following minimum educational
qualifications:
1) For teachers in the kindergarten and elementary grades,
Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education (B.S.Ed.) or its
equivalent;
2) For teachers of the secondary schools, Bachelor's degree
in Education or its equivalent with a major and minor, or a
Bachelor's degree in Arts or Sciences with at least eighteen
units in professional education; and
3) For teachers of secondary vocational and two-year
technical courses, Bachelor's degree in the field of
specialization with at least eighteen units in professional
education.
All applications shall be filed with an office or offices designated by the Board,
preferably the offices of the Civil Service Commission and the Department of
Education and Culture.
These offices shall screen and approve such applications and issue the
corresponding permits to take the examination to qualify applicants.
Section 7. Appointment of examiners. The Board shall appoint a set of
examiners for every examination who are recognized authority in teacher
education, and their names shall not be disclosed until after the release of the
results of the examination. They shall each receive as compensation the sum of
not less than P5.00 for each examinee as may be determined by the Board but in
no case shall each examiner receive more than P18,000 per examination. Any
examiner who is in the service of the Government shall receive the compensation
herein provided in addition to his salary.
Section 8. Scope of the examination. The examination shall consist of written
tests, the scope of which shall be determined by the Board, taking into
consideration the teaching plan of the schools legally constituted in the
Philippines.
Section 9. Ratings in the examination. In order that a candidate may be deemed
to have successfully passed the examinations, he must have obtained a general
average of at least 70 per cent in all subjects, with no rating below 50 per cent in
any subject.
Section 10. Report of the results of examination. The examiners shall report the
ratings obtained by each candidate to the Board within 150 days after the last
day of the examination, unless extended by the latter.
Section 11. Issuance of Certificates. Teachers who have passed examinations
given by the Civil Service Commission or jointly by the Civil Service Commission
and the Department of Education and Culture shall be considered as having
passed the board examinations for teachers. The Board may consider their
certificates of rating as certificates of eligibility or issue an entirely new certificate
upon registration of the teacher and payment of the corresponding fees.
This provision shall likewise apply to those teachers who have permanent
appointment under the Magna Carta For Public School Teachers and all others
who may be qualified for registration as professional teachers under this Decree.
Section 12. Registration. The Civil Service Commission shall, as an arm of the
Board, register holders of Professional Teacher Certificate which registration
shall evidence that the registrant is entitled to all the rights and privileges of a
Professional Teacher until and unless the certificate is suspended or canceled by
the Board for just cause.
Section 13. Reissuance of revoked certificates and replacement of lost
certificates. The Board may, for reason of equity and justice, and upon proper
application therefor, issue another copy, original or duplicate, upon payment of
the required fee, of a certificate which has been revoked. A new certificate to
replace a lost, destroyed or mutilated certificate may be issued subject to the
rules of the Board.

107 | P a g e
Section 14. Registration by reciprocity. The Civil Service Commission shall,
upon approval of the Board, effect the registration, without examination, of a
teacher validly registered under the laws of any foreign state or country;
Provided, That the requirements for registration in said foreign state or country
are substantially the same as those required and contemplated by this Decree,
and the laws of such foreign state or country allow citizens of the Philippines to
practice the profession on the same basis and grant the same privileges as the
citizens or subjects of such foreign state or country; Provided finally, That the
applicant shall submit competent and conclusive documentary evidence,
confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, showing that his country's
existing laws permit citizens of the Philippines to practice teaching profession
under the rules and regulations governing citizens thereof.
Section 15. Prohibition. Three years after the effectivity of this Decree, no
person shall engage in teaching and/or act as a teacher as defined in this
Decree, whether in the public or private elementary or secondary school, unless
he is holder of a Professional Teacher Certificate or is considered a Professional
Teacher under this Decree.
Section 16. Penal Provision. Any person who shall practice the teaching without
a valid Professional Teacher Certificate, or any person presenting as his or her
own the certificate of another, or any person giving any false or forged evidence
in order to obtain a Professional Teacher Certificate or admission to an
examination, or any person assuming himself as a registered professional
teacher or any person violating any provision of this Decree shall be penalized by
a fine of not less than One Thousand Pesos nor more than Five Thousand Pesos
with subsidiary imprisonment or to suffer an imprisonment of not less than six
months nor more than two years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the
discretion of the Court.
Section 17. Repealing Clause. All Acts, Decrees, Executive Orders,
Administrative Orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Decree are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 18. Separability Clause. In case any provision of this Decree or any
portion thereof is declared unconstitutional by a competent court, other
provisions shall not be affected thereby.
Section 19. Effectivity. This Decree shall take effect January 1, 1977.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4670 June 18, 1966
(THE MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS)
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, inany 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

108 | P a g e
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 the irrespective 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

109 | P a g e
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 daysfrom 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 schoolteachers, 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.

110 | P a g e
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 percent 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 inSalary 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 LivingAllowance.

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

111 | P a g e
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 fee sowing 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

112 | P a g e
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 give none 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.

113 | P a g e
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.

114 | P a g e
 A Professional
Development of
Career

Plan

115 | P a g e
Other Evidences

A teacher opens the mind, touches the heart and changes the life.

116 | P a g e