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The Rights and Privileges of Filipino Teachers
DECEMBER 31, 2015 · PUBLIC
Those who educate children well are more to be honored than parents, for these only gave life; those the art of living well. - Aristotle
Teachers have long been touted as our “modern day heroes” (way before overseas workers became honored as such). Teachers’ indispensable role in education, the competence and integrity that they uphold, as well as their active community involvement draw worthy admiration from the entire society that benefits from their work.
As we celebrate National Human Rights Consciousness Week this December, it’s time for us to review the privileges that are concomitant with Filipino teachers’ role. Below, we’ve rounded up our modern heroes’ most important rights along with their legal bases.
Rights and privileges of all teachers in the Philippines:
Authority, respect, and protection1 -- “Teachers and school administrators are persons in authority when in lawful discharge of duties and responsibilities… [and] shall therefore be accorded due respect and protection.”2
Fair wages -- “The State shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.”3
Punishment against attackers -- “This [imposes]... a penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months and one day to six years and a fine ranging from 500 to 1, 000 pesos upon any person found guilty of assault upon those teaching personnel.”1
Professional development -- “The State shall enhance the right of teachers to professional advancement.”3
Freedom of expression -- “Free expression of opinions and suggestions...”2
Labor group participation2 -- “Establish, join, maintain labor organization of their choice to promote their welfare and defend their interest.”4
Free legal services -- “To be provided with free legal service by the appropriate government office in case of public school personnel and the school authorities concerned in case of private school personnel, when charged in administrative, civil and/or criminal proceedings, by parties other than the school authorities concerned, for actions committed directly in the lawful discharge of professional duties and/or in defense of school policies.”2
Freedom from non-compensated mandatory assignment -- “Right to be free from compulsory assignment not related to their duties defined in their appointment or employment contracts unless compensated thereof.”2
Freedom from extraneous contributions -- “To be free from involuntary contributions except those imposed by their own organizations.”2
Right to intellectual property2
Career alternatives -- “Teachers shall be given opportunity to choose career alternatives for advancements.”2
Educators in the Philippines deserve to (and ought to) be aware of these benefits that are part and parcel of their role. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that the best privilege of teachers is having the influence to mold young minds and the power to change the world for the better through the noble act of teaching.

Source laws:
1Commonwealth Act No. 578
2Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 or The Education Act of 1982
3The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines
4Republic Act No. 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers