For a group, the viral TikTok video of teacher's outburst should also highlight a deeper issue --- discipline in schools.
While it does not tolerate the wrongdoing of its colleagues in the profession, a group said underscored the need to "protect teachers" from possible harassment, intimidation, physical threats, extortion, and media sensationalization.
Discipline in schools: Why viral TikTok video of an angry teacher indicates a ‘bigger problem’
Mar 19, 2024 09:59 AM
At a glance
While it does not tolerate the wrongdoing of its colleagues in the profession, a teachers’ group stressed that a viral TikTok video of a public school teacher scolding her students is a manifestation of a “bigger” issue in schools.
“We want to remind everyone that there is a bigger problem at hand with this viral video,” the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) said in a statement.
“And that is the matter of discipline in schools and its place in the overall state of our education, especially in public schools,” it added.
A video of a public school teacher getting angry at her “undisciplined” students continues to make rounds online.
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This prompted the Department of Education (DepEd) to investigate the incident.
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Discipline challenges
As it awaits the results of DepEd’s investigation, TDC pointed out that there is also a need to look into wider school discipline issues.
TDC pointed out that “discipline is indispensable” in a classroom setting.
“Children need discipline to learn,” the group said. “Unfortunately, the ability to discipline children is rendered obsolete by the classification of almost all forms of discipline as child abuse in our existing policies,” it added.
Given this, TDC appealed to the public not to make hasty judgments against the teacher who used harsh words while scolding her students about discipline.
“We appeal not to quickly judge the teacher based solely on the two-minute video,” TDC said.
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https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/18/group-appeals-for-cautious-judgment-of-teacher-in-viral-tik-tok-video
Teachers’ protection
While the teacher’s outburst in the viral video continues to draw mixed reactions, TDC appealed for her “protection” and that of all teachers in general.
“Regulation on our teachers is excessive,” TDC noted.
For instance, TDC pointed out that DepEd has institutionalized the Child Protection Policy as stated in its Department Order No. 40, series of 2012; the Anti-Child Abuse Law under Republic Act 7610, and other related policies to protect children from all forms of abuse.
“We acknowledge these, and as teachers, we also believe that the state has an obligation to protect children, wherever they may be,” TDC said.
Moreover, TDC stressed that these policies “should not be used against our teachers.”
Teachers, the group said, must also be protected from those “who would take advantage of these policies to harm us and make us their victims.”
TDC cited several incidents in which teachers were “falsely accused, scandalized, humiliated, intimidated, or even detained for minor or honest mistakes” or simply for carrying out their official responsibilities.
Given this, TDC urged concerned government agencies to formulate a clear-cut policy to protect teachers from harassment, intimidation, physical threats, extortion, and media sensationalization.
TDC said free legal assistance and counsel to teachers facing administrative and criminal charges should also be provided to concerned teachers.
Moreover, the group underscored the urgent need to conduct massive and substantial training on the positive discipline approach.
DepEd’s CPC, the group said, should also be reviewed and to include protection of teachers as well.
TDC stressed that when teachers are protected, this will also help in the “further advancement and improvement of our country's education.”
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