Protect teachers from harassment, DepEd urged

MANILA,Philippines — A teachers’ organization has called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to take necessary steps to protect and defend teachers from harassment following a “teacher shaming” incident by a popular television program.

Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) chair Benjo Basas urged Education Secretary Leonor Briones to seriously look into the incident involving a teacher who was publicly humiliated on live television after she was accused of hurting a student.

“In many circumstances, teachers accused of violation of children’s rights have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, extortion, physical threat and some kind of media sensationalization,” said Basas.

“Teachers are often left in a disadvantaged position whenever a case is filed against them. Legal assistance, especially those of private lawyers, is not readily available for teachers. In some cases, teachers are forced to enter into unfair settlement or worse, resign or face the court battle,” he added.

Allegation

The issue stemmed from a television program that featured a woman who accused the teacher of shaming and hurting her grandchild.

During the program, the host berated the teacher and asked her to either voluntarily give up her job and license to teach or face the consequence of prison term because of child abuse.

He later recanted the threat and said he will no longer pursue the case and will just facilitate the settlement of both parties.

Similar cases

According to Basas, the teacher and the child’s mother have already settled their dispute after a meeting with local DepEd officials.

However, he said the matter is far from over as similar cases of teacher shaming have also been reported.

“We would like to reiterate that teachers in general would never want to cause any harm – physically, emotionally or mentally to the children. The main duty of our teachers is to teach and the teaching environment should be conducive. Thus, some sort of discipline is necessary,” he said.

He noted that many regulations, such as DepEd’s existing child protection policy, have been used to harass, threaten intimidate and in some cases even extort money from teachers.

“As teachers, we want to ensure the welfare of schoolchildren, but it should not be at our expense. We have to take into consideration all the factors in the school situation,” he added.

Protection from harassment

While they are against the old ways of disciplining children such as physical, verbal and psychological punishment, he said policymakers should also consider reviewing existing policies to protect teachers from harassment.

He proposed the provision of defense lawyers for teachers, as well as the institutionalization of alternative school discipline policies agreed upon by parents, teachers and learners.

Basas also expressed support for massive training on positive discipline approach.

“We must, at all times be sure that the rights and welfare of teachers be protected in the same weight as we protect the children,” he added.