The Department of Education (DepEd) formally asked a public school teacher to explain after a video of her scolding students during a TikTok livestream went viral, sparking debate over classroom discipline.
According to DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas, the teacher in question has been summoned by the regional office to provide an explanation for her actions. The show cause order was delivered to the teacher on Monday morning, March 18, giving her 72 hours to respond.
While the specific offense has not been disclosed, Bringas emphasized the importance of adhering to existing policies on social media usage and urged responsible conduct online.
In the video, which has circulated widely on social media platforms such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), the teacher can be seen expressing frustration with her students’ behavior inside the classroom.
Derogatory remarks were made towards the students, including accusations of disrespect and ingratitude.
DepEd’s Child Protection Policy, outlined in DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012, prohibits any acts or words that demean the dignity of a child, emphasizing the role of teachers as “second parents” expected to act accordingly.
The incident has reignited discussions about the boundaries of disciplinary actions within classrooms. In 2023, the House basic education committee deliberated on proposals to amend Republic Act 7610, also known as the Child Abuse Law, to safeguard teachers from unfounded accusations of child abuse.
During the committee hearing, concerns were raised about the need to balance discipline with the protection of teachers’ rights. Ruby Bernardo of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers -National Capital Region highlighted instances where teachers faced legal repercussions for minor disciplinary measures.
Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) Chairperson Benjo Basas called for empathy towards teachers facing similar situations, citing external pressures such as heavy workloads and overcrowded classrooms.
Basas urged DepEd to provide legal assistance to teachers embroiled in such cases and advocated for a review of RA 7610 to prevent its misuse against educators.