DepEd launches war against online cheating

REUTERS/Steve Marcus/File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — In the wake of several online cheating groups emerging online, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday reiterated that it denounces academic dishonesty regardless of how it is delivered.

“The Department does not tolerate the perpetuation of cheating regardless of the learning delivery modality,” DepEd said.

“We are now exhausting all possible means to put a stop to these activities,” it added.

DepEd has already asked social media companies to ban online cheating groups and prevent groups “that promote laziness, irresponsibility, and instant gratification” from sprouting online.

“In this line, we appeal to parents, teachers, and learners to help us eradicate online cheating, which undermines the development of values and morality among the youth. It demeans the quality of education that the Department is committed to improve,” it said.

Earlier, Curriculum and Instruction Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio, also underscored the DepEd’s stand on online cheating in a memorandum sent to all regional directors of DepEd.

“In view of the most recent controversy on cheating as publicized via Facebook. It must be emphasized that DepEd does not and will not tolerate any form of academic dishonesty,” San Antonio said through the memorandum.

The online cheating group under the name “Online Kopyahan” attracted more than 600,000 members before it was archived and taken down shortly after it made headlines.

However, a simple search on Facebook would reveal dozens of other groups that have more than 20,000 members (some even reaching more than 90,000).

Education Sec. Leonor Briones earlier said that DepEd is already in touch with authorities to investigate the widespread cheating.

READ: DepEd already in touch with authorities to probe ‘online kopyahan’ – Briones

Classes this year officially began on Sept. 13, where face-to-face classes continue to remain suspended since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Distance learning methods are currently teaching students. Under the distance learning program, students study from their homes via printed and digital modules, online classes, TV, and radio.

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