A group of education workers has renewed calls for the enactment of a Magna Carta for private school teachers, citing concerns about probationary periods for employees. The move aims to address the economic and living conditions of private school teachers. Education workers argue that their concerns should be a top priority for the government. The group believes that the passage of the Magna Carta will help address contradictions in the maximum probationary period for academic teaching personnel.
The current Labor Code states that probationary employment cannot exceed six months, but the Manual of Regulations for Private Higher Education allows for a probationary period of up to three years. This contradiction has led to calls for legislation to address the issue. Education workers are appealing to the President to sponsor legislation that will resolve this long-standing contradiction between a law and an administrative order. They are also seeking fair and just decisions from the Courts and other quasi-judicial bodies in cases affecting education workers.
Public educators in the Philippines are already protected by the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, but private school teachers lack similar safeguards. The employment rights and benefits of private school teachers are primarily governed by the Labor Code of the Philippines. Legislative bills have been proposed to protect and empower out-of-school children and students, but private school teachers continue to seek better working conditions and welfare.
The Solidarity of Workers in Private Education has reminded both the House and the Senate to work on creating laws and measures that will uplift the work conditions of education workers and uphold their rights and welfare. A bill proposing a Magna Carta for private school teachers was previously called for, with provisions including a limit of six teaching hours per day, a probationary period of six months, and hardship allowances for commuting and other hazards.
The push for a Magna Carta for private school teachers is ongoing, with education workers seeking to address the contradictions in the current regulatory framework. The group argues that education should be a top priority for the government, and the concerns of workers in the education sector should be central to the president's mandate. By addressing the issues faced by private school teachers, the government can help improve the overall quality of education in the country.
