SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian has renewed his call to amend the 59-year-old Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, or Republic Act No. 4670, saying the measure is long overdue to better protect educators’ rights.

Gatchalian said the proposed reforms aim to strengthen the welfare of nearly 900,000 public school teachers nationwide.

Filed as Senate Bill No. 363, the Revised Magna Carta for Public School Teachers seeks to ensure security of tenure, prohibit the assignment of non-teaching duties, and protect teachers from shouldering work-related expenses.

The bill also promotes more conducive working conditions by addressing understaffing, preventing excessive workloads, and regulating class sizes.

In addition, the measure aims to institutionalize key benefits such as calamity leave and longevity pay, and to define clear guidelines for granting special hardship allowances.

“Patuloy nating isinusulong ang pag-amyenda sa Magna Carta for Public School Teachers upang itaguyod ang kapakanan ng ating mga guro. Ilang dekada na ang lumipas mula noong naipasa ang batas na ito—panahon na upang tuparin natin ang mga pangako nito,” said Gatchalian, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.