Teacher’s ‘discipline waiver’ halted by DepEd
Published April 15, 2024 9:45pm A concerned citizen has complained about the discipline waiver distributed by a Grace 2 teacher to her class in a public school in Rizal. According to a “24 Oras” report by Kapuso Action Man Emil Sumangil, the parents of the students were asked to sign the waiver allowing the teacher […]
Tomas Kauer - News Moderator 
A concerned citizen has complained about the discipline waiver distributed by a Grace 2 teacher to her class in a public school in Rizal.
According to a “24 Oras” report by Kapuso Action Man Emil Sumangil, the parents of the students were asked to sign the waiver allowing the teacher to instill discipline among the learners through actions and verbal manner, but which will not hurt them.
Lawyer Conrad Ezra Leano, who examined the waiver, said such documents are recognized under the law. However, he said that under Article 6 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, a waiver is deemed without effect if it is illegal or if it contradicts existing policies.
“Hindi naman nila inispecify sa kung paanong paraan nila didisiplinahin ‘yung mga bata. We have to remember na mayroong mga guidelines, mayroong mga batas na nagrerestrict sa aksyon ng isang guro,” Leano said.
GMA Integrated News was able to talk to the teacher, who refused to be interviewed on camera.
The teacher said the waiver was made with good intentions, adding that it should not be treated as a discipline waiver, but as a letter or a reminder.
The teacher also emphasized the imposition of discipline in a positive way, without hurting the students.
“Kung ito ay sulat lamang dapat dito ay hindi hinihingi ang pahintulot ng mga magulang at dapat dito iniinform lang sila. Kung sulat ito, isa pa, dapat ito naka-address sa magulang pirmado ng guro,” Leano said.
When asked to comment, the regional director of the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 4 did not give a statement.
The teacher said DepEd had communicated with her and ordered a stop to the distribution of the waiver.
DepEd has also talked to the concerned parents of the students and clarified the matter.
“Bagamat ito’y pinatigil nila, sa aking pananaw pupwede pa rin naman nila disiplinahin ang mga bata pero dapat maglabas sila ng guidelines, ng panuntunan,” Leano said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
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