DepEd: No sanction yet vs. viral scolding teacher

The teacher who went viral on social media after she berated her students live on TikTok is still allowed to continue her work in a public school pending the results of the investigation into her actions, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Tuesday. 

Interviewed on Unang Balita, DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas said they have yet to ask the school head whether the teacher is still teaching, but clarified that there are no reasons to bar her from going to school as there are no sanctions yet in place. 

“Wala naman tayong mga sanctions na ganyan until such time na meron tayong procedures na ipa-follow,” Bringas said. 

(We have no sanctions like that until such time that we already have procedures to follow.) 

DepEd on Monday issued a show cause order against the teacher whose identity remains anonymous. The agency’s National Capital Region office gave her 72 hours to submit an explanation on the matter. 

Bringas also emphasized that due process will be given to the teacher.

“Ang ating teacher, we will undergo due process, ‘yung karapatan niyang magkaron ng due process, para i-explain ang kanyang side at ibibigay natin ‘yun sa teacher syempre,” he said. 

(The teacher will undergo due process because it's her right. We will give her an opportunity to explain her side.) 

Bringas also said that no one has filed a complaint so far against the teacher. 

DepEd’s child protection policy 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.

Bringas also said that a teacher cannot go live on social media platforms based on DepEd Order Number 49 or the Professionalism in the Implementation and Delivery of Basic Education Programs and Services. —Giselle Ombay/ VAL, GMA Integrated News