CHR urges DepEd to address teachers” grievances, uphold children’s dignity

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to amend its Child Protection Policy to ensure that teachers are not taken advantage of by unruly students and at the same time called on teachers to speak child-friendly language.

“CHR also notes the sentiment of teachers that the cited [Child Protection] policy is sometimes taken advantage of against teachers and there were instances when they were either falsely accused, scandalized, humiliated, extorted, intimidated, or even detained due to minor or ‘honest mistakes.’ To respond to such sentiment, the DepEd can include a provision in the policy that can help ensure that it will not be misused against teachers,” the CHR said in a statement.

“As in any policy, it must be stressed that the best interests of children must be primordial as set forth in Article 3 (1) of the UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.)”

Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte earlier announced that her department would not impose sanctions on the public-school teacher who live-streamed herself scolding her students for allegedly lacking respect and good manners.

The CHR, however, said the incident should be a learning moment for teachers since the school is a place of learning and must always be a safe place for children.

“Using demeaning and debasing words violates the inherent dignity of children and can have a lasting adverse effect on them. Teachers have the power to shape student’s consciousness and perception. Demoralizing and discriminatory language, such as what can be seen in the video, can negatively affect the students’ perception of their self-worth, which can impact many areas of their life,” the CHR said.

The commission added that access to safe education in which the dignity of a child was respected, protected, and fulfilled was a fundamental right of a child that was enshrined in the UNCRC.

The CHR also emphasized that Section 3 (b)(2) of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, defined child abuse as “any act by deeds or words that debases, degrades, or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child.”

The Department of Education’s (DepEd) Child Protection Policy adopted the provision, which also requires positive and non-violent discipline of children “based on the fundamental principle that children are full human beings with basic human rights.”

“Even in cases when reprimanding is merited, it is expected that teachers exercise professionalism, restraint, and use appropriate, child-friendly language,” the CHR said.

“Teachers, under the law, are considered as second parents of students in school. It is expected that they are not only committed to teaching but are also duty-bound to ensure that schools are nurturing, enabling, and safe spaces that are conducive for learning and free from all forms of abuses, whether physical or verbal.” — DVM, GMA Integrated News