Philippines
National
Group challenges DepEd to 'safeguard' rights of teachers accused of child abuse
Group challenges DepEd to 'safeguard' rights of teachers accused of child abuse
While it does not tolerate any form of abuse by teachers against students, a group on Thursday, Oct. 12, challenged the Department of Education (DepEd) to “safeguard” the rights of teachers to “due In process and equal protection of the law.”
In a statement, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) reacted to the autopsy report of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Antipolo noting that the reported incident of slapping has “no connection” to the death of a student in a public school in Antipolo City last week.
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“Contrary to the initial public condemnation of the teacher, this scientific investigation determined that her alleged action did not cause the boy's hospitalization and subsequent death,” TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas said.
TDC clarified that it does not "absolve our colleague from potential administrative and criminal liabilities" under the DepEd Child Protection Policy (DO 40, s. 2012) and the Anti-Child Abuse Law (RA 7610), respectively.
Asked for a reaction, DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa told reporters in a Viber message that administrative proceedings are in place to “ensure that respondents, whether teaching or non-teaching, are given the opportunity to be heard and afforded due process.”
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Provide a conducive environment
As TDC extends its “deepest condolences and prayers” to the family of the student who died, the group underscored the importance of providing an environment that is conducive to teaching and learning.
“The government must ensure a conducive learning and teaching environment by, among other things, ensuring a sufficient number of teachers and classrooms, adequate rest for teachers, an effective guidance and counseling program, and a balanced policy for student discipline,” Basas said.
Meanwhile, TDC also made recommendations to help ensure that “justice is served to all parties” all parties involved.
TDC is pushing for the reduction of class size to a maximum of 25 students per classroom and the provision of sick leave and vacation time for classroom teachers.
It is also calling for the establishment of additional Special Education (SPED) centers and recruitment of SPED teachers based on demand.
TDC also noted the need for the “professionalization of the school guidance and counseling system” and the hiring of registered guidance counselors at a salary grade commensurate with their credentials.”
Moreover, the group is pushing for the “adoption of alternative school discipline policies by school administrators, teachers, and students” and the review of the DepEd Child Protection Policy and “modification” of certain penal provisions of RA 7610 to establish safeguards for teachers.
TDC is also calling for the “protection of teachers from harassment, intimidation, physical threat, extortion, and media sensationalism” and hiring of dedicated lawyers for the “defense of public school teachers facing administrative and criminal charges.”
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Other recommendations of the group include massive and extensive training on the Positive Discipline approach and penalties for individuals found guilty of making false allegations of child abuse.
TDC said it has been “compiling instances in which anti-child abuse policies were misused to abuse teachers” and will present these to Congress in aid of legislation.
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