House TWG to combine bills protecting teachers from wrongful child abuse allegations
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — A House of Representatives panel has formed a technical working group (TWG) that would combine and study bills seeking to protect teachers from wrongful allegations of child abuse.
During the hearing of the House Committee on basic education and culture on Monday, the TWG was assigned to consolidate House Bills (HB) No. 346, 549, and 6940 — all of which want to shield teachers who are trying to discipline students within the regulations, but are accused of abuse.
If passed, the bill will amend provisions in Republic Act No. 7610 or the Child Abuse Law, particularly with actions that the Department of Education (DepEd) would deem permissible.
“Unfortunately, when our teachers and school personnel exercise their duty to discipline our students within their scope of authority, they are subjected to complains by the parents and ridiculed by the public,” HB No. 364 author and OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino said in her speech during the hearing.
“These attacks effectively hamper them from fully discharging their duties, afraid of losing their jobs or having their reputation smeared,” she added.
According to Alliance of Concerned Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, it is important to protect students from abuse, but teachers are also prone to unfair judgment and accusations.
“While child protection is indispensable, but teacher protection is a must. To this end, this bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 7610, commonly known as the Child Abuse Law, insofar as any act committed by a teacher or school staff pursuant to the disciplinary rules and procedure issued by the DepEd shall not be deemed as ‘child abuse’,” Castro and other Makabayan bloc solons said in HB No. 549’s explanatory note.
Makabayan also highlighted that teachers already have a difficult time instilling discipline considering large class sizes, multiple shifts each day, and the heavier tasks brought about by the K to 12 curriculum.
If enacted, support mechanisms for public teachers and school personnel will be institutionalized through a creation of a guideline on what cannot be considered as child abuse.
The DepEd will craft the guideline, which will define permissible, appropriate, and effective responses to address violations of school regulations, to protect teaching and non-teaching staff.
The bill also seeks to protect teachers facing charges related to student discipline, as well as provide training, professional development, and other forms of support in relation to classroom management.
According to Castro, similar bills were passed in the 16th and 17th congress but did not push through in the Senate due to lack of material time. Authors look forward to the Teacher Protection bill being passed in the 19th congress.
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Committee chairperson and Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo approved the motion to consolidate the bills, while bill authors Castro, Magsino, and Parañaque 1st District Rep. Edwin Olivarez will form the TWG. — With reports from MJ Soriano, trainee
