REACTION PAPER ON REPUBLIC ACT NO.

4670 OR MAGNA CARTA FOR

PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS

Section 13 of Republic Act No. 4670 otherwise known as the Magna Carta for

Public School Teachers states that any teacher engaged in actual classroom instruction

shall not be required to render more than six hours of actual classroom teaching a day.

This is to give teachers ample time to prepare for the lesson and accomplish teaching

related jobs. But why is it that teachers are given 7 or 8 teaching loads in some schools?

This is a straight 8-hour of talking and standing in class.

Teachers who have 7 or teaching loads only have lunch time as their break. This

means that they have no time in school to perform other jobs like checking a number of

test papers and notebooks, constructing instructional materials and lesson planning. But

the profession requires so much but gives so little, these teachers are forced to extend

work hours at home. Instead of spending time with their families, they are compelled to

sacrifice personal and family life for the profession just for students to learn new things

the following day. They are not even given additional remuneration that is mandated by

law.

This law also has provisions for a free medical examination for teaches. It is also

stated that when medical examination show that medical treatment and/or hospitalization

is necessary, it should be provided free by the government entity paying the salary of the

teachers which is DepEd. I havent known of any case scenario wherein teachers who

have sought medical help with their expenses reimbursed. Majority of teachers are in ill-

debt. Why is this happening?

The provisions of this law are not executed and reinforced. We have laws but these

laws serve only those people who created them. This calls for teachers to be vigilant and

active in activities which will promote the welfare of our profession.