Group raises 'serious concerns' on DepED's directive on professionalism 

While it acknowledges the reminder of the Department of Education (DepED) for its employees to observe and practice “professionalism” at all times, a teachers’ group on Wednesday, Nov. 9, urged the agency to clarify its newly-issued directive.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) commended the DepED’s effort at “enhancing professionalism” in the department as stated in the DepEd Order 49 series of 2022.

However, the group said the recent directive “raises some serious concerns” and the DepED leadership needs to issue a clarification on those cited provisions “as lack of clearly established regulation” under the DO No. 49 would lend it “vulnerable to arbitrary and whimsical application and interpretation.”

TDC pointed out that the Philippine Constitution guarantees unhampered communication and cooperation between individuals and organizations within the bounds of the law.

However, TDC said that Paragraph 1 of the said order is a “direct prohibition” to employees from seeking the aid of other government entities and "similar entities outside of DepEd.”

It is also directing employees to "raise issues and concerns regarding basic education via formal and appropriate DepEd channels, either directly to the Office of the Secretary or through the concerned Assistant Secretary or Undersecretary, without resorting to any political or third-party intervention or accommodation."

TDC noted that teachers are “primarily citizens of the republic and are endowed with the same civil rights as all other citizens.”

“The right to organize, put forward views, act collectively and to lobby for their interests is guaranteed in the constitution,” TDC said. “This pillar of democracy is held sacred in the entire free world,” it added.

Given this, TDC said that DepED is expected not “only to educate learners on the value of this basic civil right but to champion it without fear and be the model for institutional checks.”

Moreover, the group explained that teachers --- as any other employees, public or private --- employ various ways and means to redress their grievances and find assistance from different organizations. “This is especially the case when their own agency fails to respond as it should,” it added.

TDC noted that civil societies provide citizens maximum access to institutional options to ensure that issues are brought to national awareness and addressed democratically.

“We posit that this provision could violate teachers' right to self-organization and must therefore be clarified, and modified if found inconsistent with the very intent of the order, sound management practice, and the constitution,” TDC stressed.

The group also sought clarification on another provision which stated that employees “shall not unduly post online attacks against fellow DepEd employees and must utilize legal and human resource mediation procedures” and "shall not disparage DepEd and must always be mindful of the reputation and honor of the organization."

“While we agree that fake information or rumors have no place in the profession, education, no less, this provision’s vagueness lays it open to abuse and could easily be weaponized against the teachers,” TDC said.

TDC also asked DepED to clarify its reminder to teachers to "avoid relationships, interaction, and communication, including following social media with learners outside of the school setting, except if they are relatives.”

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/04/friends-no-more-deped-tells-personnel-not-to-befriend-students-outside-the-school-setting/

This, the group said, is “regressive on so many levels as well.”

TDC said that the “whole child approach to teaching and learning” has been gaining steam for years now and social media platforms are at the forefront of this advancement.

This, it added, is even “more necessary in public schools where we cater to learners that go through much more complications during their developmental years, given their financial situation as well as the less-than-ideal environment where their personhoods are being shaped.”

TDC said that this is where internet technology becomes an “essential tool.” In particular, Facebook and Messenger, are being used for class discussions, monitoring of projects, individual tutoring, individual guidance, and counseling.

These platforms are also being used in “extending teacher” involvement in the learners' emergencies such as medical emergencies, peer abuse, or family problems, and even the provision of financial and other material support.

“The teachers' social responsibility goes way beyond the confines of the classroom and most teachers give much more of themselves out of compassion, beyond the call of duty,” the group added.

RELATED STORY:

https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/07/teachers-allowed-to-reach-out-to-students-on-social-media-within-school-setting-deped/