DepEd verifying video of scolding 'teacher'

A viral video showing a woman berating someone has prompted the Department of Education (DepEd) to open an investigation.

The incident was live-streamed on social media, although it wasn't immediately clear if the woman was a teacher or what had angered her.

"Hindi ako nag-board exam para lang hindi irespeto ng mga katulad niyong wala pa namang nararating sa buhay. Hindi na nga kayo matalino, sama pa ng ugali ninyo," the woman said in a report by Jonathan Andal on ''24 Oras Weekend'' on Saturday.

(I didn't take the board exam just to be disrespected by people like you who haven't achieved anything yet in life. You are not even smart, and you have a bad attitude.)

In a statement, DepEd deputy spokesperson Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas said they are looking into the matter.

"We are verifying the report from the field and will require a complete incident report to determine the next course of action in accordance with existing DepEd policies," Bringas said.

DepEd issued its child protection policy in 2012, which states that ''any act by deeds or words that debases, degrades, or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being'' is considered child abuse.

The Teachers' Dignity Coalition, however, cautioned against making quick judgments because the full story behind the video is still unknown.

The TDC also said that it is essential to teach discipline to students, adding that the policy on child protection should be revisited.

"I-review itong policies natin on child protection, kung ito ba talaga ay nakakatulong ba o hindi sa atin," said TDC chairperson Benjo Basas.

(Review our policies on child protection. Does it really help us or not?)

"''Yung mga teacher natin ngayon, ang daming kinakaharap na kaso tungkol d'yan. Kasi napaka-sensitive na nu'ng henerasyon na ngayon, not only the children but even the parents," he added.

(Our teachers today are facing many cases related to that because this generation is very sensitive—not only the children but even the parents.)  — Sherylin Untalan/VBL, GMA Integrated News