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Treat Teachers and School Personnel With Utmost Respect and Dignity

June 13 officially marked the first day of school in the public school system for SY 2016-2017. This school year is a special one for this is the start of Grade 11 under the K to 12 curriculum. Expect that during the first days of every school year, complaints and a whole variety of concerns will flood the schools, the division offices and even the Central Office. In fact, the Central Office of the Department of Education yearly sets up the Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) Information and Action Center to help with education concerns and facilitate the smooth start of the school year.

It has been almost a week since the class started in the public school system. I remember the very same events from five years ago when I had my first teaching job in the secondary level. It was a whole different thing when I was tasked to sit in for student registration and to do several responsibilities to make sure that students and parents are served well and that they get the best experience possible. It is a tough job for anybody who is at the frontline of the organization especially teachers and school staff who deal with hundreds, if not thousands, of students and their parents. The roles of teachers and school personnel have become increasingly difficult today, they are expected not just to serve students but sometimes part of this big responsibility includes attending to parents and their conditions that only serve their own interests. At least in my experience, and of the handful of teachers I know, the role of being the school’s ‘primary’ clientele is mostly abused.

Most complaints, perhaps, that are made by students and their parents often center to the teacher. However, assessing the validity of these complaints are not always considered and the teachers are the ones who suffer. There are those who will challenge you, intimidate you and coerce you to go against your principles in life. But it is always the teachers who are put at a bad light in the society. “It’s always a teacher factor” should no longer be applied absolutely in all cases pertaining to education. We are all accountable—whether we are teachers, parents, or students. We all have our fair share on the consequences of our actions. I can name a number of instances which illustrate this but I can leave it for your own reflection. This can also be a reason for teacher marginalization. If this is not addressed in the next few years, more teachers will surely find themselves stepping out of the teaching profession for good.

House Bill No. 5735 also known as Student Discipline and Teacher Protection Act was filed by ACT Party List representative, Antonio L. Tinio in 2015. The bill seeks to “lay down institutional support mechanisms for teachers and school personnel in matters of classroom management and student discipline” and to “protect teachers and school personnel in cases related to student discipline and classroom management, including legal assistance and representation by counsel and union or association representatives”. Should this bill was enacted into law, teachers and school personnel will have a more defined rights that protect them from all forms of injustices that happen in their workplace. Past laws cater most to “teachers attending to student’s rights and needs” and it’s about time that teachers and school personnel be protected too. Let us uphold teachers’ rights to equitable treatment and fair judgment of the society.

What does your school or organization do to solve this imbalance?

READ: WRONG PRACTICES TEACHERS MAKE…UNCONSCIOUSLY

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Junnie Armel Salud

Junnie Salud is a licensed teacher and an education specialist. He graduated cum laude with a BS degree in Secondary Education major in English and he is a candidate for a master’s degree in English Language Studies. He likewise finished special courses in English and Education such as Certificate in Assessment and Teaching (with distinction) facilitated by University of Melbourne and the Intensive English Program of the University of the Philippines Diliman. He is currently finishing special courses in Educational Psychology (Ireland) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - TESOL (USA). He taught in different institutions such as the Institute of Education, Far Eastern University, FEU East Asia College (now FEU Institute of Technology) and National University. He is currently affiliated with the Bureau of Education Assessment (formerly National Testing and Research Center), Department of Education.

6 thoughts on “Treat Teachers and School Personnel With Utmost Respect and Dignity”

  1. The guidance teacher already spoke with his parents and told what the student did to me while i am inside the cr. It really affects me. For 2 days i cant go to school. I dont want to teach anymore. I felt so awful and not respected.

    Reply
  2. Dear TeacherPH!

    May karapatan po ba ang isang magulang na mamili ng teacher na e assign sa isang classroom? Hindi gusto ni parents ang isang teacher dahil may pamangkin si teacher sa class niya, kaya gusto ng parents na palitan ito ng ibang teacher? May karapatan po ba dito amg magulang?

    Thank you po.

    Reply
    • Hi Maddiyyah!

      The Department recognizes the concerns and complaints of its clients for the improvement of its services. These can be submitted through the official email address (action@deped.gov.ph), hotline 8888, and through referrals from other government agencies such as CSC, PCC, and ARTA.

      Please include the following:

      -school’s exact name and location
      -name and position of the person/s involved
      -any documents or evidence,
      -specific DepEd programs, projects, and/or activities (PPAs) needing further clarifications (case-to-case)

      Reply
  3. Dear TeacherPH, TREAT TEACHERS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL WITH UTMOST RESPECT AND DIGNITY. I strongly agree and we, as parents have to the best of our capacities, instilled this to our children.
    But what would be our recourse if our son was NOT Treated with Utmost Respect and Dignity by the School administration and distinguished deliberation committee for graduation awards?
    Complaints filed — complete with evidences, the highest school administration has not acted on a 3 month complaint.
    Where do we seek justice?
    Earnestly hoping that you could give us guidance. We are willing to go even to the highest educational office for this case.

    Reply
    • Hi Joy,

      For comments, suggestions, queries and further information, please contact DepEd Action Center.

      DepEd Action Center
      DepEd Complex, Meralco Ave., Pasig City, Metro Manila
      (02) 636 1663 | 633 1942 | (+63) 919 456 0027
      action@deped.gov.ph

      Legal and Legislative Affairs

      LEGAL SERVICE (LS)
      Josephine G. Maribojoc
      Director IV
      636-6550
      633-5444

      Investigation Division (ID)
      Cornelio A. Pacala
      Attorney V
      631-5773 / 633-7247

      Reply

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