The teachers’ group is calling for the immediate passage of a Teacher Protection Policy to safeguard teachers from violence and ensure a respectful learning environment.
The Teacher’s Dignity Coalition (TDC) has expressed deep concern over two students’ assault on a teacher in Ilocos Norte, calling on the immediate passage of a policy to protect teachers.
This attack, which was captured in a viral video, has sparked discussions about the need for stronger protections for educators.
The TDC is calling for the immediate passage of a Teacher Protection Policy to safeguard teachers from violence and ensure a respectful learning environment.
The incident occurred on September 12, when the teacher reportedly reprimanded one of his Grade 9 students for being disruptive in class.
In response, the student’s sibling, who was also a student in the same class, allegedly attacked the teacher, seemingly in defense of their brother. The assault on the teacher was only halted when other teachers intervened.
Though the local police were notified, the school reportedly handled the incident internally.
“Ang hirap panoorin ng video, masakit sa dibdib na makita ‘yung isang teacher na naka-uniform, bumagsak na sa sahig habang pisikal na inaatake ng mga mag-aaral sa mismong classroom,” said Benjo Basas, the chairman of the TDC.
Basas also called for an examination of the situation to find out why some students have so little respect for their teachers.
Basas believes the incident may have stemmed from the many regulations on teacher discipline, particularly DepEd’s Child Protection Policy. He noted that teachers’ authority to discipline students has been severely limited, with any form of discipline potentially being reported as child abuse.
In recent years, the TDC has reported abuses of DepEd’s Child Protection Policy and RA 7610 (Anti-Child Abuse Law), with teachers facing criminal charges, public humiliation and physical attacks.
The TDC is urging Congress and DepEd to quickly establish a policy that protects teachers’ rights, similar to the pending Teacher Protection Policy Bill.
Basas stressed the importance of discipline not only for effective teaching but also for shaping students’ character and values.
The TDC also calls for solutions to long-standing school issues, including overcrowding, lack of air-conditioning, teacher shortages, inadequate special education, poor counseling programs and no legal support for teachers.
