Chapter Iii Becoming A Professional Teacher
Chapter Iii Becoming A Professional Teacher
Chapter Iii Becoming A Professional Teacher
Recruitment and
PROFESSIONAL TEACHER Qualification. Recruitment policy with respect to
the selection and appointment of teachers shall be
Instructional Objectives: clearly defined by the Department of
Education: Provided, however, that effective upon
Demonstrate understanding of the following legal the approval of this Act, the following shall
basis on becoming a professional teacher; constitute the minimum educational qualifications
for teacher-applicants:
1. Republic Act 4670 - Magna Carta for Public
School Teacher (a) For teachers in the kindergarten and
2. Presidential Decree No. 1006 - Decree elementary grades, bachelor’s degree in
Elementary Education (B.S.E.ED.);
Professionalization Teaching
3. Republic Act 7836 (Philippine Teachers (b) For teachers of the secondary schools,
Professionalization Act of 1994) Bachelor's degree in Education or its equivalent
with a major and a minor; or a Bachelor's degree
4. Republic Act 9293 (An Act Amending Certain in Arts or Science with at least eighteen
Sections of R. A. No. 7836) professional units in Education.
5. Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers (c) For teachers of secondary vocational and two
years technical courses, Bachelor's degree in the
On the most basic level, the definition of field of specialization with at least eighteen
“professional teacher” refers to the status of a professional units in education;
person who is paid to teach. It can also, on a
higher level, refer to teachers who represent the (d) For teachers of courses on the collegiate level,
best in the profession and set the highest standard other than vocational, master's degree with a
for best practice. They know the standards of specific area of specialization;
practice of their profession.
Provided, further, That in the absence of
Becoming a Professional Teacher applicants who possess the minimum educational
qualifications as hereinabove provided, the school
1. One has to graduate a teacher education degree superintendent may appoint, under a temporary
status, applicants who do not meet the minimum
2. pass the professional board examination for qualifications: Provided, further, That should
teachers, officially called the Licensure teacher-applicants, whether they possess the
Examination for Teachers (LET) minimum educational qualifications or not, be
required to take competitive examinations,
3. join professional organizations and preference in making appointments shall be in the
order of their respective ranks in said competitive
4. abide by the Code of Ethics for Professional Te
examinations: And provided, finally, That the
results of the examinations shall be made public
and every applicant shall be furnished with his
Legal Basis on Becoming a Professional score and rank in said examinations.
Teacher
Section 4. Probationary Period. When
Republic Act 4670 - Magna Carta for Public recruitment takes place after adequate training and
School Teachers professional preparation in any school recognized
by the Government, no probationary period
RA 4670 otherwise known as “The Magna Carta preceding regular appointment shall be imposed if
for Public School Teacher” was passed into law in the teacher possesses the appropriate civil service
view of providing professional rights and eligibility: Provided, however, That where, due to
safeguards to our public-school teachers in the exigencies of the service, it is necessary to
consideration of the exigency and level of employ as teacher a person who possesses the
difficulty of the exercise and their profession. minimum educational qualifications herein above
set forth but lacks the appropriate civil service
II. RECRUITMENT AND CAREER
eligibility, such person shall be appointed on a Section 8. Safeguards in Disciplinary
provisional status and shall undergo a period of Procedure. Every teacher shall enjoy equitable
probation for not less than one year from and after safeguards at each stage of any disciplinary
the date of his provisional appointment. procedure and shall have:
(a) they shall compare favorably with Section 19. Special Hardship Allowances. In areas
those paid in other occupations requiring in which teachers are exposed to hardship such as
equivalent or similar qualifications, difficulty in commuting to the place of work or
training and abilities; other hazards peculiar to the place of employment,
as determined by the Secretary of Education, they V. LEAVE AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
shall be compensated special hardship allowances
equivalent to at least twenty-five per cent of their Section 24. Study Leave. In addition to the leave
monthly salary. privileges now enjoyed by teachers in the public
schools, they shall be entitled to study leave not
Section 20. Salaries to be Paid in Legal exceeding one school year after seven years of
Tender. Salaries of teachers shall be paid in legal service. Such leave shall be granted in accordance
tender of the Philippines or its equivalent in with a schedule set by the Department of
checks or treasury warrants. Provided, however, Education. During the period of such leave, the
That such checks or treasury warrants shall be teachers shall be entitled to at least sixty per cent
cashable in any national, provincial, city or of their monthly salary: Provided, however, That
municipal treasurer's office or any banking no teacher shall be allowed to accumulate more
institutions operating under the laws of the than one year study leave, unless he needs an
Republic of the Philippines. additional semester to finish his thesis for a
graduate study in education or allied
Section 21. Deductions Prohibited. No person courses: Provided, further, That no compensation
shall make any deduction whatsoever from the shall be due the teacher after the first year of such
salaries of teachers except under specific authority leave. In all cases, the study leave period shall be
of law authorizing such counted for seniority and pension purposes.
deductions: Provided, however, That upon written
authority executed by the teacher concerned, (1) The compensation allowed for one year study
lawful dues and fees owing to the Philippine leave as herein provided shall be subject to the
Public School Teachers Association, and (2) condition that the teacher takes the regular study
premiums properly due on insurance policies, load and passes at least seventy-five per cent of
shall be considered deductible. his courses. Study leave of more than one year
may be permitted by the Secretary of Education
IV. HEALTH MEASURES AND INJURY but without compensation.
BENEFITS
Section 25. Indefinite Leave. An indefinite sick
Section 22. Medical Examination and leave of absence shall be granted to teachers when
Treatment. Compulsory medical examination shall the nature of the illness demands a long treatment
be provided free of charge for all teachers before that will exceed one year at the least.
they take up teaching, and shall be repeated not
less than once a year during the teacher's Section 26. Salary Increase upon
professional life. Where medical examination Retirement. Public school teachers having fulfilled
show that medical treatment and/or hospitalization the age and service requirements of the applicable
is necessary, same shall be provided free by the retirement laws shall be given one range salary
government entity paying the salary of the raise upon retirement, which shall be the basis of
teachers. the computation of the lump sum of the retirement
pay and the monthly benefits thereafter.
In regions where there is scarcity of medical
facilities, teachers may obtain elsewhere the VI. TEACHER'S ORGANIZATION
necessary medical care with the right to be
reimbursed for their traveling expenses by the Section 27. Freedom to Organize. Public school
government entity concerned in the first paragraph teachers shall have the right to freely and without
of this Section. previous authorization both to establish and to join
organizations of their choosing, whether local or
Section 23. Compensation For Injuries. Teachers national to further and defend their interests.
shall be protected against the consequences of
employment injuries in accordance with existing Section 28. Discrimination Against Teachers
laws. The effects of the physical and nervous Prohibited. The rights established in the
strain on the teacher's health shall be recognized immediately preceding Section shall be exercised
as a compensable occupational disease in without any interference or coercion. It shall be
accordance with existing laws. unlawful for any person to commit any acts of
discrimination against teachers which are of the application, he shall have complied with the
calculated to following requirements:
(a) make the employment of a teacher subject to A citizen of the Philippines or an alien
the condition that he shall not join an whose country has reciprocity with the
organization, or shall relinquish membership in an Philippines in the practice of the teaching
organization, profession;
At least eighteen (18) years of age;
(b) to cause the dismissal of or otherwise In good health and of good reputation with
prejudice a teacher by reason of his membership high moral values;
in an organization or because of participation in Has not been convicted by final judgment
organization activities outside school hours, or by a court for an offense involving moral
with the consent of the proper school authorities, turpitude;
within school hours, and
Republic Act 9293 (An Act Amending Certain
(c) to prevent him from carrying out the duties Sections of R. A. No. 7836)
laid upon him by his position in the organization,
or to penalize him for an action undertaken in that AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN SECS OF
capacity.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7836), OTHERWISE
Section 29. National Teacher's KNOWN AS THE “PHILIPPINE TEACHERS
Organizations. National teachers' organizations PROFESSIONALIZATION ACT OF 1994”
shall be consulted in the formulation of national
“SEC. 15. Qualification Requirements of
educational policies and professional standards,
and in the formulation of national policies Applicants. – No applicant shall be admitted to
governing the social security of the teachers. take the examination unless, on the date of filing
of the application, he shall have complied with the
Presidential Decree No. 1006 - Decree following requirements:
Professionalization Teaching
“(e) A graduate of a school, college or university
Providing for the Professionalization of Teachers, recognized by the government and possesses the
Regulating their Practice in the Philippines minimum educational qualifications, as follows:
made a teachers' license a requirement for (1) For teachers in preschool, a bachelor’s degree
teaching. After three years of effectivity of in early childhood education (BECED) or its
this decree a teacher without license shall equivalent;
not engage in teaching, whether in the
(2) For teachers in the elementary grades, a
public or private elementary or secondary
bachelor’s degree in elementary education
school. Aims, goals, instructional
(BSEED) or its equivalent;
objectives and learning outcomes are
necessary in planning for assessment of (3) For teachers in the secondary grades, a
student learning. bachelor’s degree in education or its equivalent
with a major and minor, or a bachelor degree in
Republic Act 7836: Philippine Teachers
arts and sciences with at least eighteen (18) units
Professionalization Act of 1994.
in professional education; and
An act to strengthen the regulation and
(4) For teachers of vocational and two-year
supervision of the practice of teaching in the
technical courses, a bachelor’s degree in the field
philippines and prescribing a licensure
of specialization or its equivalent, with at least
examination for teachers and for other purposes.
eighteen (18) units in professional education.”
SEC. 15. Qualification Requirements of
Applicants. - No applicant shall be admitted to
take the examination unless, on the date of filing Code of Ethics for Professional Teacher
Pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (e), people as much as of his own, every teacher shall
Article 11, of R.A. No. 7836, otherwise known as be physically, mentally and morally fit.
the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of
1994 and paragraph (a), section 6, P.D. No. 223, Section 4. Every teacher shall possess and
as amended, the Board for Professional Teachers actualize a full commitment and devotion to duty.
hereby adopt the Code of Ethics for Professional
Teachers. Section 5. A teacher shall not engage in the
promotion of any political, religious, or other
Preamble partisan interest, and shall not, directly or
indirectly, solicit, require, collect, or receive any
Teachers are duly licensed professionals who money or service or other valuable material from
possesse dignity and reputation with high moral any person or entity for such purposes.
values as well as technical and professional
competence in the practice of their noble Section 6. Every teacher shall vote and shall
profession, and they strictly adhere to, observe, exercise all other constitutional rights and
and practice this set of ethical and moral responsibility.
principles, standards, and values.
Section 7. A teacher shall not use his position or
Article I: Scope and Limitations official authority or influence to coerce any other
person to follow any political course of action.
Section 1. The Philippine Constitution provides
that all educational institution shall offer quality Section 8. Every teacher shall enjoy academic
education for all competent teachers. Committed freedom and shall have privilege of expounding
to its full realization, the provision of this Code the product of his researches and investigations;
shall apply, therefore, to all teachers in schools in provided that, if the results are inimical to the
the Philippines. declared policies of the State, they shall be
brought to the proper authorities for appropriate
Section 2. This Code covers all public and private remedial action.
school teachers in all educational institutions at
the preschool, primary, elementary, and secondary Article III: The Teacher and the Community
levels whether academic, vocational, special,
technical, or non-formal. The term “teacher” shall Section 1. A teacher is a facilitator of learning and
include industrial arts or vocational teachers and of the development of the youth; he shall,
all other persons performing supervisory and /or therefore, render the best service by providing an
administrative functions in all school at the environment conducive to such learning and
aforesaid levels, whether on full time or part-time growth.
basis.
Section 2. Every teacher shall provide leadership
Article II: The Teacher and the State and initiative to actively participate in community
movements for moral, social, educational,
Section 1. The schools are the nurseries of the economic and civic betterment.
future citizens of the state; each teacher is a
trustee of the cultural and educational heritage of Section 3. Every teacher shall merit reasonable
the nation and is under obligation to transmit to social recognition for which purpose he shall
learners such heritage as well as to elevate behave with honour and dignity at all times and
national morality, promote national pride, refrain from such activities as gambling, smoking,
cultivate love of country, instil allegiance to the drunkenness, and other excesses, much less illicit
constitution and for all duly constituted relations.
authorities, and promote obedience to the laws of
the state. Section 4. Every teacher shall live for and with the
community and shall, therefore, study and
Section 2. Every teacher or school official shall understand local customs and traditions in order to
actively help carry out the declared policies of the have sympathetic attitude, therefore, refrain from
state, and shall take an oath to this effect. Section disparaging the community.
3. In the interest of the State and of the Filipino
Section 5. Every teacher shall help the school Section 1. Teachers shall, at all times, be imbued
keep the people in the community informed about with the spirit of professional loyalty, mutual
the school’s work and accomplishments as well as confidence, and faith in one another, self-sacrifice
its needs and problems. for the common good; and full cooperation with
colleagues. When the best interest of the learners,
Section 6. Every teacher is intellectual leader in the school, or the profession is at stake in any
the community, especially in the barangay, and controversy, teachers shall support one another.
shall welcome the opportunity to provide such
leadership when needed, to extend counselling Section 2. A teacher is not entitled to claim credit
services, as appropriate, and to actively be or work not of his own, and shall give due credit
involved in matters affecting the welfare of the for the work of others which he may use.
people.
Section 3. Before leaving his position, a teacher
Section 7. Every teacher shall maintain shall organize for whoever assumes the position
harmonious and pleasant personal and official such records and other data as are necessary to
relations with other professionals, with carry on the work.
government officials, and with the people,
individually or collectively. Section 4. A teacher shall hold inviolate all
confidential information concerning associates
Section 8. A teacher possesses freedom to attend and the school, and shall not divulge to anyone
church and worships as appropriate, but shall not documents which has not been officially released,
use his positions and influence to proselyte others. or remove records from files without permission.
Article IV: A Teacher and the Profession Section 5. It shall be the responsibility of every
teacher to seek correctives for what may appear to
Section 1. Every teacher shall actively insure that be an unprofessional and unethical conduct of any
teaching is the noblest profession, and shall associate. However, this may be done only if there
manifest genuine enthusiasm and pride in teaching is incontrovertible evidence for such conduct.
as a noble calling.
Section 6. A teacher may submit to the proper
Section 2. Every teacher shall uphold the highest authorities any justifiable criticism against an
possible standards of quality education, shall associate, preferably in writing, without violating
make the best preparations for the career of the right of the individual concerned.
teaching, and shall be at his best at all times and in
the practice of his profession. Section 7. A teacher may apply for a vacant
position for which he is qualified; provided that he
Section 3. Every teacher shall participate in the respects the system of selection on the basis of
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) merit and competence; provided, further, that all
program of the Professional Regulation qualified candidates are given the opportunity to
Commission, and shall pursue such other studies be considered.
as will improve his efficiency, enhance the
prestige of the profession, and strengthen his Article VI: The Teacher and Higher Authorities in
competence, virtues, and productivity in order to the Profession
be nationally and internationally competitive.
Section 1. Every teacher shall make it his duty to
Section 4. Every teacher shall help, if duly make an honest effort to understand and support
authorized, to seek support from the school, but the legitimate policies of the school and the
shall not make improper misrepresentations administration regardless of personal feeling or
through personal advertisements and other private opinion and shall faithfully carry them out.
questionable means. Section 5. Every teacher shall
use the teaching profession in a manner that Section 2. A teacher shall not make any false
makes it dignified means for earning a decent accusations or charges against superiors,
living. especially under anonymity. However, if there are
valid charges, he should present such under oath
Article V: The Teachers and the Profession to competent authority.
Section 3. A teacher shall transact all official private school teachers are issued contracts
business through channels except when special specifying the terms and conditions of their work;
conditions warrant a different procedure, such as provided that they are given, if qualified,
when special conditions are advocated but are subsequent permanent tenure, in accordance with
opposed by immediate superiors, in which case, existing laws.
the teacher shall appeal directly to the appropriate
higher authority. Article VIII: The Teachers and Learners
Section 4. Every teacher, individually or as part of Section 1. A teacher has a right and duty to
a group, has a right to seek redress against determine the academic marks and the promotions
injustice to the administration and to extent of learners in the subject or grades he handles,
possible, shall raise grievances within acceptable provided that such determination shall be in
democratic possesses. In doing so, they shall accordance with generally accepted procedures of
avoid jeopardizing the interest and the welfare of evaluation and measurement. In case of any
learners whose right to learn must be respected. complaint, teachers concerned shall immediately
take appropriate actions, observing due process.
Section 5. Every teacher has a right to invoke the
principle that appointments, promotions, and Section 2. A teacher shall recognize that the
transfer of teachers are made only on the basis of interest and welfare of learners are of first and
merit and needed in the interest of the service. foremost concern, and shall deal justifiably and
impartially with each of them.
Section 6. A teacher who accepts a position
assumes a contractual obligation to live up to his Section 3. Under no circumstance shall a teacher
contract, assuming full knowledge of employment be prejudiced or discriminate against a learner.
terms and conditions.
Section 4. A teacher shall not accept favours or
Article VII: School Officials, Teachers, and gifts from learners, their parents or others in their
Other Personnel behalf in exchange for requested concessions,
especially if undeserved.
Section 1. All school officials shall at all times
show professional courtesy, helpfulness and Section 5. A teacher shall not accept, directly or
sympathy towards teachers and other personnel, indirectly, any remuneration from tutorials other
such practices being standards of effective school what is authorized for such service.
supervision, dignified administration, responsible
leadership and enlightened directions. Section 6. A teacher shall base the evaluation of
the learner’s work only in merit and quality of
Section 2. School officials, teachers, and other academic performance.
school personnel shall consider it their cooperative
responsibility to formulate policies or introduce Section 7. In a situation where mutual attraction
important changes in the system at all levels and subsequent love develop between teacher and
learner, the teacher shall exercise utmost
Section 3. School officials shall encourage and professional discretion to avoid scandal, gossip
attend the professional growth of all teachers and preferential treatment of the learner.
under them such as recommending them for
promotion, giving them due recognition for Section 8. A teacher shall not inflict corporal
meritorious performance, and allowing them to punishment on offending learners nor make
participate in conferences in training programs. deductions from their scholastic ratings as a
punishment for acts which are clearly not
Section 4. No school officials shall dismiss or manifestation of poor scholarship.
recommend for dismissal a teacher or other
subordinates except for cause. Section 9. A teacher shall ensure that conditions
contribute to the maximum development of
Section 5. School authorities concern shall ensure learners are adequate, and shall extend needed
that public school teachers are employed in assistance in preventing or solving learner’s
accordance with pertinent civil service rules, and problems and difficulties.
Article IX: The Teachers and Parents behaviour in all relationships with others and in all
situations.
Section 1. Every teacher shall establish and
maintain cordial relations with parents, and shall Section 3. A teacher shall maintain at all times a
conduct himself to merit their confidence and dignified personality which could serve as a
respect. model worthy of emulation by learners, peers and
all others.
Section 2. Every teacher shall inform parents,
through proper authorities, of the progress and Section 4. . A teacher shall always recognize the
deficiencies of learner under him, exercising Almighty God as guide of his own destiny and of
utmost candour and tact pointing out the learner's the destinies of men and nations.
deficiencies and in seeking parent’s cooperation
for the properguidance and improvement of the Article XII: Disciplinary Actions
learners.
Section 1. Any violation of any provision of this
Section 3. A teacher shall hear parent’s complaints code shall be sufficient ground for the imposition
with sympathy and understanding, and shall against the erring teacher of the disciplinary action
discourage unfair criticism. consisting of revocation of his Certification of
Registration and License as a Professional
Article X: The Teacher and Business Teacher, suspension from the practice of teaching
profession, or reprimand or cancellation of his
Section 1. A teacher has the right to engage, temporary/special permit under causes specified in
directly or indirectly, in legitimate income Sec. 23, Article III or R.A. No. 7836, and under
geration; provided that it does not relate to or Rule 31, Article VIII, of the Rules and
adversely affect his work as a teacher. Regulations Implementing R.A. 7836.
Article XI: The Teacher as a Person A professional teacher possesses the following
attributes:
Section 1. A teacher is, above all, a human being
endowed with life for which it is the highest Control if the knowledge base of teaching and
obligation to live with dignity at all times whether learning and use of this knowledge to guide the
in school, in the home, or elsewhere . science and art of his/her teaching practice.
Section 2. A teacher shall place premium upon Knowledge Base and its Use: This means that a
self-discipline as the primary principle of personal teacher should know a lot about teaching and
learning. They should use this knowledge to guide
how they teach, like using both the science a. Passion
(research-based methods) and art (creative and
b. Humor
effective strategies) of teaching.
c. Values and Attitudes – open-mindedness,
Repertoire of best teaching practice and can use
fairness and impartiality, sincerity and honesty
these to instruct children in classrooms and to
and professionalism
work with adults in the school setting
d. Patience
Teaching Skills and Practices: A teacher should
have a collection of the best ways to teach, and e. Enthusiasm
they can use these methods to teach kids in
ARTICLE IV : CITIZENSHIP
classrooms and work with adults in schools. It's
like having a set of tools for different situations. Section 1. The following are citizens of the
Philippines:
Dispositions and skills to approach all aspects of
his work in a reflective, collegial, and problem- [1] Those who are citizens of the Philippines at
solving manner. the time of the adoption of this Constitution;
Attitude and Approach: Teachers should approach [2] Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of
their work with a thoughtful, team-oriented, and the Philippines;
problem-solving attitude. This means thinking
[3] Those born before January 17, 1973, of
carefully, working well with others, and finding
Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship
solutions to challenges.
upon reaching the age of majority; and
View of learning to teach as a lifelong process [4] Those who are naturalized in accordance with
and dispositions and skills for working towards law.
improving his/her own teaching as well as
improving schools (Arends, 1994) Section 2. Natural-born citizens are those who are
citizens of the Philippines from birth without
Continuous Learning: Teaching is seen as a having to perform any act to acquire or perfect
lifelong learning process. A good teacher is always their Philippine citizenship. Those who elect
trying to get better at their job. They have the right Philippine citizenship in accordance with
attitudes and skills to improve their own teaching paragraph (3), Section 1 hereof shall be deemed
and also contribute to making schools better natural-born citizens.
overall.
Section 3. Philippine citizenship may be lost or
So, in simple terms, it's about knowing how to reacquired in the manner provided by law.
teach, using effective methods, having the right
attitude, and always trying to become a better Section 4. Citizens of the Philippines who marry
teacher and contribute to improving schools. aliens shall retain their citizenship, unless by their
act or omission, they are deemed, under the law, to
Professional attributes of a teacher have renounced it.
1. Enthusiastic Section 5. Dual allegiance of citizens is inimical
2. Positive Attitude to the national interest and shall be dealt with by
law.
3. A Good Group Leader
4. Ethical
5. Passionate
Personal attributes of a teacher