A party-list lawmaker from Ilocandia has called for the passage of the Magna Carta for Private School Teachers as a way to halt the exodus of teachers in search of higher paying jobs.

Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos says the magna carta--embodied in House Bill (HB) No. 3116--seeks to improve the quality of life of private school teachers and provide safeguards against inequitable treatment.

"The sad reality in our country is that being a private school teacher amounts to heroic sacrifice, not only of financial security, but also career advancement, especially for our private school teachers who lack the protection and advantages that their public school counterparts have," she said in a statement Friday, Oct. 3.

Incidentally, Oct. 5 marks the celebration of National Teachers' Day.

The lady lawmaker says the proposal is "an urgent intervention" given the need for fundamental standards regarding private teacher employment and working conditions.

This covers criteria in the setting of salaries, monetary benefits and leave benefits, their right to self-organization, and other penalties for violation of any rights of private school teachers.

Among the major provisions of the magna carta is the setting of working hours at a maximum of six teaching hours per day. Teachers may be required to render more than six hours, but not exceeding eight hours of actual classroom teaching a day upon payment of additional compensation at the same rate as his or her regular remuneration plus at least 25 percent of the basic pay.

The probationary period is also set at six months, with teachers who are engaged after the said period deemed regularized.

The bill also calls for the provision of hardship allowances for teachers faced with challenges in commuting to their place of work, conducting laboratory experiments, or other hazards.

Bernos also said that public school teachers' salaries will serve as a benchmark in determining the remuneration for their private school counterparts, with annual salary adjustments to mitigate the effects of inflation.

The solon called on the House leadership to prioritize the passage of the bill as a gift to private school teachers in recognition of their "valuable work in shaping our youth".

"Umaasa ako na sa pagdiwang natin ng World Teachers' Day, magkaisa tayo sa layunin na kilalanin at suportahan ang mga dakilang bayani na katuwang ng bawat pamilya sa pagsiguro ng kinabukasan ng kabataan," she said.

(I hope that as we celebrate World Teachers' Day, we unite in the goal of recognizing and supporting the noble heroes who partner with every family in securing the future of our youth.)