To adequately protect the rights of preschool tutors and pave the way for world-class early childhood education in the country, Nueva Ecija Rep. Magnolia Rosa Antonino-Nadres  has proposed a magna carta for kindergarten teachers.

Antonino-Nadres, a member of the National Unity Party (NUP), said her measure, House Bill 5218, is necessary considering that kindergarten teachers play a pivotal role in the mental, psychological, spiritual and emotional development of their pupils.

"In order to assure quality kindergarten education, kinder teachers must be assured of stable working conditions, rights and attractive benefits and career prospects in order to motivate them to achieve high teaching standards for the benefit of the kinder pupils," Antonino-Nadres said.

Under her measure, a kindergarten teacher-applicant must be a graduate of bachelor's degree in education, preferably in early childhood education.

Her bill also states that kindergarten teachers shall be entitled to all the benefits and privileges, including healthcare, injury benefits, leave and retirement benefits granted to teachers under existing laws.

In the absence of applicants who possess the minimum educational qualifications for kinder teachers, the school superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd) may appoint, under a temporary status, applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements.

Whether the kinder teacher-applicants possess the minimum educational qualifications or not, they must take competitive examinations as stated in HB 5218.

 “No probationary period preceding regular appointment shall be imposed if the kinder teacher possesses the appropriate eligibility especially when recruitment takes place after adequate training and professional preparation in any school recognized by the government,” the bill likewise states.

Antonino-Nadres said that under her bill, volunteer preschool teachers on provisional status who have rendered at least 10 years of continuous service shall be given permanent positions. 

She said her measure complements Republic Act 10157, otherwise known as the Kindergarten Education Act of 2012, which provides for the institutionalization of kindergarten education as part of the basic education in the Philippine educational system.