Situational Cases, Question and Application about the Magna Carta for Teachers

28 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by Redentor V. Habla in Uncategorized

Case 1: Rhea is a young and personable teacher in a school in a coastal area. She teaches Science to
Grade 5 students who have difficulty reading the Science textbook in English and comprehending the
basic concepts. To solve this problem, Rhea decided to hold her class by the shore on Saturday. Her
class enjoyed the change and were very participative since the class was conducted in the dialect.

What possible violations did Rhea commit?

As long as she aligned her actions with regards to the school’s policy that allows teaching outside of the
school’s premises then she didn’t commit any violation. She should complete all necessary steps to
allow her actions on the proper channeling by asking permission to the school’s principal or the
authorized persons allowing them to do such activity. Consultations with student’s parents will help her
to have the support for their children’s learning progress.

If she didn’t do the proper way to ask permission to the authority then she’ll be violating Section 1 Code
of Professional Conduct for Teachers, wherein Article VI: The Teacher and Higher Authorities in the
Profession Section 1 states: Every teacher shall make it his duty to make an honest effort to understand
and support the legitimate policies of the school and the administration regardless of personal feeling or
private opinion and shall faithfully carry them out.

On using the local language, it is also should be aligned with the school’s policy on using mediums of
teaching. Further consultations with the matter shall increase the open communication of both parties
that will be beneficial for the student’s learning progress.

Can she invoke any provision in The Magna Carta for Public School Teachers to support her activities?
If so, what are these?

To support her activity invoking the provision in The Magna Carta for Public School Teacher, she can
site Sec. 12 of the Magna Carta’s stand on Academic Freedom. Teachers shall enjoy academic
freedom in the discharge of their professional duties, particularly with regard to teaching and classroom
methods.

To further assist the students, the teacher provides adequate learning condition as sited in the Section
7 Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers wherein Article VIII Section 9 states, A teacher shall
ensure that conditions contribute to the maximum development of learners are adequate, and shall
extend needed assistance in preventing or solving learner’s problems and difficulties. Therefore she
allows her class to facilitate learning outside of the school’s premises as stipulated in the
aforementioned.
Case 2: Rey has a very strong religious background such that he never fails to pray and integrate
Christian values in his lessons. He teaches Araling Panlipunan and Values Education. He often quotes
Christian proverbs and asks his classes to start and end each class session with a prayer. Since he
teaches at a public school, some of the students are surprised at the change. However, in time, his
students get used to the routine.

What problems may arise from Rey’s approach to teaching?

He can do such as actions as he himself exercising his right to religious freedom, however, he should
let the students exercise their rights to religious freedom as well in relation to the Section 7, the Code of
Ethics for Professional Teachers, Article III: The Teacher and the Community, Section 8. A teacher
possesses the freedom to attend church and worships as appropriate, but shall not use his positions
and influence to proselyte or convert others.

He should not do discrimination in any circumstances against the learner as the site in Article VIII: The
Teachers and Learners, Section 3. Under no circumstance shall a teacher be prejudiced or discriminate
against a learner.

Everyone has the right to his own beliefs with regards to religion, therefore, no one should coerce or
enforced any religiosity that will affect academic scores or performance.

Did he violate any provisions in the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers? If so, what are these?

He violated these provisions if he will use his influence to coerce or to unlawfully hold the right to
religious freedom. But as long as his action aligned with the ethical standard of a teacher then he has
no violation of any provision thereof.

For further stipulation here the articles on these provisions:

Section 5/Article II of Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers which is tied into Magna Carta. “A
teacher shall not engage in the promotion of any political, religious, or other partisan interest, and shall
not, directly or indirectly, solicit, require, collect, or receive any money or service or other valuable
material from any person or entity for such purposes”.

Section 8/Article III Code of Ethics. A teacher posses the freedom to attend church and worships as
appropriate, but shall not use his positions and influence to proselyte others.

Any prohibition of these provisions shall contradict the purpose of the Code of Ethics for Professional
Teachers with regards to the religious freedom in the school and as the nation as a whole.
Case 3: After teaching at a private school for five years, Samuel gets accepted at a national high
school as a Chemistry teacher. Aside from teaching, he coached the school team which won in the
division science competition. During one of the pre-final events, Samuel found out about the DOST
scholarship for science teachers. He filled out an application form but his principal refused to endorse
this since Samuel has rendered service to the school for just over a year, and there are other teachers
more qualified to apply.

What should Samuel do?

First, he should know the policy on the waiting list for the scholarship, then after comprehending the
policy then act upon which the policy stated. If the policy stated that he needs tenure completion before
getting the privileged scholarship then he should wait and give the scholarship for others whose tenure
is head of him. Take a deal after finishing tenure that will grant him the scholarship as stated in the
policy; he should be the priority on the list as he has the right for the scholarship as stipulated in the
Magna Carta.

But if the policy will allow him to have the scholarship then he should invoke his right for the provision
stipulated in the provision of having the teacher for the privileged scholarship. He can coordinate with
the DOST Department to inquire about his case and make a consultation for the benefit of both parties,
thus this will allow him and the principal to settle the matter in a cordial way.

Can he invoke provisions in The Magna Carta for Public School Teachers? If so, what are these?

To any invocation of these provisions, here are the articles to mention:

Section 3/Article 4 Code of Ethics. Every teacher shall participate in the Continuing Professional
Education (CPE) program of the Professional Regulation Commission, and shall pursue such other
studies as will improve his efficiency, enhance the prestige of the profession, and strengthen his
competence, virtues, and productivity in order to be nationally and internationally competitive.

Section 3/Article 7 Code of Ethics. School officials shall encourage and attend the professional growth
of all teachers under them such as recommending them for promotion, giving them due to recognition
for meritorious performance, and allowing them to participate in conferences in training programs.

As stipulated in these provisions, the teacher has all the privileges to pursue continuous education
program that will also be beneficial to the students and school as well.