Solon files bill removing teachers non-teaching responsibilities

Solon files bill removing teachers non-teaching responsibilities

A bill seeking to remove non-teaching responsibilities of teachers and faculty members in all public schools has been filed by Bohol 3rd District Representative Kristine Alexie Tutor. Among the non-administrative work to is the manning of school health facility and guidance office.

Rep. Tutor has filed House Bill 4232, otherwise known as" School Health and Safety Act, " seeking to establish School Health and Safety Offices(SHSO) in each state- run schools, including government universities and colleges as well as public technical and vocational schools to be manned by qualified, licensed and certified personnel so that teachers can focus on their main task which is teaching.

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Tutor explained the SHSO is envisioned to be potent front-line health care delivery center strategically placed within schools to serve students, their parents, and their teachers. 

“The bill is intended to unburden public school teachers and faculty of state universities and colleges of the non-teaching responsibilities heaped upon them by regulations of the DepEd, TESDA, and CHED,” she added.

Under the measure, schools, extension campus and branch with populations with populations of up to 1,000 should have one medical doctor, a nurse, a dentist, a nutritionist, a dental hygienist, a guidance counselor or psychologist, a psychiatrist, electrician, plumber, two security guards and two utility workers. 

Schools with a population of more than 3,000 shall be required to have two medical doctors, three nurses, two dentists, two nutritionists, two social workers, one guidance counselor, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a psychometrician, and three emergency medical technicians.

Aside from medical personnel, the proposal also provides plumbers, volunteer firefighters, electricians, and utility workers for schools. the lawmaker explained.

The bill also seeks for enough security guards in public schools to prevent crimes and entry of illegal drugs in campuses.

“There is also the urgent need to keep illegal drugs from physically entering campuses and being used and sold to students and school personnel. Moreover, it has become necessary to strengthen preventive anti-drug abuse campaigns among students, their parents, and the teachers,” explained Tutor.