A group on Tuesday, Oct. 10, sought support for teachers who are facing allegations of child abuse noting that it is “unfair” to be accused without a “thorough” investigation.

“Hindi talaga patas, kapag teacher ang naakusahan ay napakabilis gumulong ng kaso (It's not really fair, when a teacher is accused, the case moves very quickly),” said Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC) Chairperson Benjo Basas in a statement.

This after Antipolo teacher, who was accused of “slapping” the child who died allegedly as a result of the incident, has been put under a 90-day preventive suspension.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/10/teacher-accused-of-child-abuse-now-under-90-day-preventive-suspension-dep-ed

Recognizing how incredibly painful it is for the parents, TDC extended its “heartfelt condolences” to the child's family.

“Pero humihingi rin kami ng hinahon sa madla na huwag naman sanang husgahan ang guro. Hintayin natin ang resulta ng malalimang imbestigasyon (However, we also appeal to the public not to pass judgment on the teacher. Let us await the results of the thorough investigation,” Basas said.

One of the many

Basas shared that the accused teacher, who is already “overly stressed, publicly humiliated, feeling fear and apprehension, and with no support” is now suspended and being subjected to scrutiny by the Department of Education (DepEd) itself.

The case of the Antipolo teacher, Basas said, showed the “prevalent” situation in the field.

Basas added that the case is one of many in which teachers accused of child abuse in many different ways “suffer humiliation, physical threat, sensationalization, bullying, and even extortion.”

This, he added, is despite the provision of the Magna Carta for Teachers that ensures the “confidentiality of cases” involving a public school mentor and the observance of the due process of law.

With this, Basas said that teachers also become the subjects of “abuse” because even if they are acquitted eventually, they cannot recover the dignity they have lost. 
 

Not tolerating

TDC, for its part, acknowledged the DepEd Child Protection Policy and other regulations that intend to protect the children since “it is the duty of the state to ensure the well-being of the children in all circumstances.”

While it seeks support for teachers who are accused of child abuse, Basas emphasized that teachers found to have engaged in abusive behavior will not be “tolerated and should be subject to disciplinary measure” --- including dismissal from the service or imprisonment, after due process of law has been accorded.

“Hindi po namin kukunsintihin ang sinuman sa aming mga kabaro na magigng mapang-abuso sa mga bata dahil ito'y makababawas din sa dangal sa aming propesyon (We will not condone anyone among our peers who becomes abusive towards children because it also tarnishes the dignity of our profession),” Basas said.