Photos of a learning material supposedly containing “propaganda” against the government are currently causing an uproar among netizens - prompting the Department of Education (DepEd) to investigate the matter.

In photos credited to Aaron Rebaldo, a Grade 4 Filipino module in Cordova, Cebu showed an editorial piece with a cartoon on how to "fight Duterte and his fascist government.”

Netizens were quick to react on the said photos. Twitter user with handle @JuanCar99375032 called on DepEd, saying: “please suriing mabuti ang mga module ng mga bata. Kailangan maging balanse sa mga inilalathala maging anti Aquino man o pro Marcos at mukhang nakapasok na ang rebelde sa mga module.”

@itssngabdns said: “Halatang binayaran ang paggawa ng librong ito. Dpat imbistigahan ang publisher nito” while @djeluniz could not help but expressed disappointment saying: “D man pang ba kinilabutan gumawa nito.. yuck..”

User with @JamieAlonzo could not help but ask: “The Philippine government funding NPA propaganda?” while @Fernand79971688 urged DepEd to look into it saying: “may mga reklamo. Ayusin niyo at bigyan ng pansin ang panawagan sa inyo... Umayos kayo!”

Others were quick to defend the President and the government like @girlsloncue who said: “Pati module n gingamit ng grade 4 student ay merong nkalusot para siraan ang ating Presidente. Nkkaalarma to kc pag brainwash p rin to sa mga bata, paano nmn nklusot. Deped ano na?”

While others condemned those who created the learning material like @thereisanocean who said: “Indoctrination! First of all, the writer of that text needs to go back to school herself. That is word salad, no continuity of concept, bias and most of all ... hateful! That is more of a propaganda rather than critical thinking skills development. THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE!”

Some users also condemned the people behind the modules for “brainwashing” the students. @roxanne1107 said that “the teacher who made that module must be put liable... Brainwashing the kind of the young ones…” while @BRAVEHE90122935 said: “Dapat sampahan ng kaso ang mga taong nagpahintulot na gumawa ng paninirang puri sa ating Pangulo, mga bata pa ang brain wash nila sa maling impormasyon.”

@sweepz also agreed saying: “Educational materials shouldn't contain unverified and assumed materials. Why are they putting poison in children's heads?” and asked DepEd to “look into these materials.”

@barbeyyy, on the other hand, said that the detractors of the government “stooped low to the point of using the DepEd modules like a propaganda material? Hopefully this will be investigated thoroughly mukhang even the institution is already infiltrated by haters.”

In a message sent to reporters, DepEd Public Service Affairs Director June Gudoy said that “DepEd is currently conducting investigation and will impose appropriate sanctions” regarding matters related to the module.

Since the current school year started in October 2020, DepEd has been numerously called out for errors seen on its self-learning modules and other learning materials.

During the first week of classes, screenshots showing grammatical errors in an English lesson and an incorrect solution to a Math problem broadcasted on national television through DepEd TV became viral.

Even celebrities were caught up in the errors - with some of them expressing their frustration while others became the subject in the learning materials.

DepEd was also accused of discrimination due to some content in modules and other learning materials.

In order to keep track of the concerns on modules and rectify these, if necessary, DepEd launched its “Error Watch” in October. Since then, it has been reminding the public to use the proper channels to report errors found in learning materials used by students. 

READ: