“Avoid relationships, interaction, and communication, including following social media with learners outside of the school setting, except if they are relatives,” the order signed by Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte stated.
The directive is among the provisions of DepEd Order 49 dated Nov. 2, amending a previous order on the promotion of professionalism in the delivery of basic education programs and services.
DepEd recently launched a hotline where students can directly report incidents of abuse, amid allegations of sexual harassment against teachers in several schools.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 4) — The Department of Education (DepEd) has directed its employees to avoid making contact with students outside of the school setting, including on social media.
Duterte said there should be a clear separation between teachers and students to avoid controversies. She added a personal relationship between a teacher and a student could lead to bias towards the learner.
“Of course, relationships, may problema ‘yan. Isa rin ito sa nakita naming recent incidents ng teachers na lumalabas with their students and they’re involved in should we say not really criminal activities but they’re involved in crime,” she said, citing an instance where a teacher was stabbed by his student during a drinking session.
[Translation: Of course we have a problem with relationships. There were also incidents where students hang out with their students and they end up getting involved in crimes.]
DepEd tells personnel: Don’t “disparage” the agency, coworkers
The same department order also reminded employees to avoid slandering the agency or colleagues online. It said they should remain mindful of the agency’s reputation.
Duterte said issues and concerns should be raised through proper channels.
“Failure to comply with the abovementioned acts shall mean outright denial of any request or appeal for consideration in the Office of the Secretary,” the secretary said.
This portion of Department Order No. 49 was questioned by House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Representative France Castro, which she said essentially “muzzles” the freedom of speech of DepEd employees online and offline.
“Why does the Department of Education feel the need to create such an order that gags and threatens teachers and education support personnel, which treats them as mere creatures only of the school, and dehumanizes them preventing them to exercise their right to free speech, expression, to organize and be able to voice out their grievances?” Castro asked.
Instead of creating such policies, the lawmaker advised DepEd to solve education-related problems.
Employees were also reminded to refrain from soliciting donations from politicians for projects or activities.
