Reaction Paper on Ra 4670

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 haven’t known of any case scenario wherein teachers who have sought medical help with their expenses reimbursed. Majority of teachers are in illdebt. 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.