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Zero tolerance: DepEd reminds teachers, officials to uphold 'positive, non-violent' discipline
Zero tolerance: DepEd reminds teachers, officials to uphold 'positive, non-violent' discipline
Following the viral video of a public school teacher lashing at her students, the Department of Education (DepEd) - National Capital Region (NCR) reminded officials and teachers of existing policies on professionalism as well as on child protection.
In DepEd Regional Memorandum No. 259, series of 2024, signed by Director Jocelyn DR Andaya and dated March 20, schools division superintendents, chiefs of functional divisions, and public elementary and secondary school heads were reminded to adhere to DO No. 40, series of 2012 (Child Protection Policy) and DO No. 49, series of 2022 (Promotion of Professionalism in the Implementation and delivery of basic education program and services).
A video of a woman, later confirmed by DepEd as a public school teacher from NCR, went viral last week.
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The teacher’s scolding received mixed reactions from netizens, prompting DepEd to issue a show cause order and investigate the incident.
Prevalence of child abuse
"Due to the prevalence of child abuse, including incidents of verbal abuse perpetrated by employees and officials, this Office finds it necessary to remind everyone of their duties to uphold positive and non-violent discipline in a manner consistent with the child’s human dignity, and in conformity with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC),” Andaya said in the regional memo.
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Moreover, Andaya noted that as DepEd consistently upholds the best interests of the child, DepEd - NCR reiterated the “zero tolerance policy for any act of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying, and other forms of abuse” in line with the Department’s Child Protection Policy.
“Similarly, employees and officials must consider the legal restrictions imposed by existing statutes, rules, and DepEd Orders in the use of social media,” Andaya said.
As such, Andaya noted that employees and officials “shall exercise caution” when sharing posts and other content as per DepEd Order No. 49, series of 2022.
Meanwhile, Andaya also reiterated the existence of DepEd Order No. 83, series of 2003, which prohibits students in elementary and secondary schools from using cellular phones and pagers during class hours.
Andaya said Schools Division Superintendents and School Heads were directed to “take the lead in ensuring the implementation” of the said policies and “carefully monitor compliance” in all schools under their jurisdiction.
“Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this memorandum is directed,” Andaya said.
Applicable to all
Reacting to DepEd-NCR’s memorandum, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), in a Facebook post, clarified that not all regions are covered by Andaya’s memo “because regional memoranda are addressed only to officials and employees of a particular region.”
However, in terms of whether the contents apply to others, TDC said that all regions are covered since it is “merely a reiteration and reminder” regarding the implementation of DepEd Order No. 83, s. 2003; DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012; and DepEd Order No. 49, s. 2022.
“So whether or not other regions release a similar memorandum, we should still be aware and cautious,” TDC said.
Despite the harsh words used by the teacher in scolding her students about discipline, Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte said there would be no penalties for her.
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Teachers’ groups welcomed Duterte's announcement regarding the teacher in the viral video.
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