Magna-Carta
Page 1: Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994
Overview of the Act
Short Title: Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994
Purpose: Strengthens regulation and supervision of teaching in the Philippines, and prescribes a licensure examination for teachers.
Statement of Policy
The State acknowledges the essential role of teachers in nation-building and aims to promote quality education through effective regulation of teacher licensure and the professionalization of teaching.
Objectives of the Act
Promotion and Development: To promote and develop the teaching profession.
Supervision Regulation: To supervise and regulate the licensure examination for teachers.
Definitions of Key Terms
Teaching: The profession focused on classroom instruction at elementary and secondary levels based on the prescribed curriculum.
Teachers: Individuals engaged in teaching or administrative roles at the elementary and secondary levels, whether part-time or full-time.
Board: Refers to the Board for Professional Teachers.
Commission: Refers to the Professional Regulation Commission.
Article II: Board for Professional Teachers
Creation and Composition
A Board for Professional Teachers is established under the Commission, composed of five members appointed by the President.
First Board's members automatically registered as professional teachers upon payment of fees.
Duties and Functions of the Board
Rule Enactment: Authority to promulgate and enforce necessary rules for the implementation of the Act.
Examinations: Determine examination frequency, appoint personnel, and use school facilities for exams.
Registration Management: Issue, suspend, or revoke teacher registrations; manage fees.
Ethical Standards: Adopt a code of ethical and professional standards; supervise teaching conditions.
Page 2: Examination and Registration
Examination Prerequisites
All applicants must pass a written examination to register as professional teachers unless specified otherwise.
Frequency: Exams held at least once a year.
Registration Requirements: Valid certificate of registration and professional license required for practice.
Scope of Examination
Elementary Level: Consists of two parts: professional education and general education.
Secondary Level: Consists of three parts: professional education, general education, and field specialization.
Qualification Requirements for Applicants
Citizenship: Must be a Filipino or an alien from a reciprocal country.
Age: At least 18 years old.
Health and Reputation: Must be in good health and possess high moral values.
Education: Various bachelor's degrees required depending on the teaching level.
Page 3: Examination Results and Licenses
Reporting Examination Results
The Board must report ratings within 120 days post-exam.
Issuance of Certificates and Licenses
Registrants who meet requirements and pay fees receive a certificate and a professional license which signifies their right to teach.
Oath Before Practice
Every registrant must take the professional oath before practicing.
Periodic Merit Examination
Aimed at professional growth; teachers may take the exam every five years for merit promotion without fees.
Failure to Pass: Teachers can retake the exam; failure requires completion of a refresher course.
Incentives for Teachers
Teachers passing the merit exam receive diplomas, merit points, priority for scholarships, and other benefits.
Page 4: Organizational Structure and Responsibilities
Integration of the Teaching Profession
Teaching profession to be organized nationally, encouraging professional membership.
Board's Revocation Powers
The Board can revoke or suspend registrations for various causes (e.g., criminal conviction, unprofessional conduct).
Registration by Reciprocity
Non-Filipino teachers may register if their country allows Filipino teachers to practice under similar conditions.
Roster of Professional Teachers
A maintained roster containing data of professional teachers registered under the Act.
Registration & Exemption Clause
Provisions on engagement in teaching without proper certification after two years of the Act's effectivity.
Page 5: Importance of Registration
Teacher Licensing
Importance: Essential for legal practice and professional recognition within the teaching profession.
Registration & Licenses: Safeguard against unauthorized practice and ensure adherence to professional standards.
Page 6: Amendments to Teaching Qualifications
Changes to Qualification Requirements
Sections amended to specify academic qualifications for various teaching positions.
Para-Teachers
Defined as teachers without the required qualifications for full registration but still serve in educational roles, under specific conditions.
Page 7: Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers
Preamble and Scope
Teachers are professionals expected to uphold dignity and ethical standards in their practices, applicable to all levels of education.
Page 8: Teacher Responsibilities
Relationship with the State
Teachers must promote national morality, uphold school policies, and refrain from political partisanship.
Obligations Summary (S-T-A-T-E)
Service-oriented
Trustees of education
Academic freedom
Transmit national heritage
Engagement in community activities
Page 9: Community and Parental Relations
Community Engagement
Teachers are community leaders promoting civic and educational betterment.
Parental Relations
Maintain cordial relationships; inform parents about student progress and obtain cooperation for student improvement.
Page 10: Teacher Rights and Responsibilities
Responsibilities to Learners and Colleagues
Ensure fair treatment of students, prevent favoritism, and uphold integrity in evaluation.
Page 11: Professional Conduct
Professional Loyalty
Emphasize cooperation, honest representation of work, and maintaining confidentiality.
Page 12: Disciplinary Actions and Final Provisions
Violations and Consequences
Teachers violating the Code can face disciplinary actions including revocation of licenses.
Rights During Disciplinary Processes
Teachers must be informed of allegations and provided due process protections.
Page 13-14: Employment Conditions
Recruitment and Career Guidelines
Define recruitment policies and establish remuneration standards focusing on equitable teaching conditions.
Page 15-16: Law Cases
Understanding Case Applications
Suggested research on cases related to the teaching profession for legal understanding.
Page 17-18: Reflective Practice and Learning
Teacher Reflections
Encouragement to reflect on learning and the application of ethical standards in teaching.