The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday, Nov. 7, clarified that teachers could still talk to students on social media but only about classroom matters.

The clarification comes after some groups criticized the recently released DepEd order no. 49 particularly one of the provisions stating that teachers should ”avoid having relationships, interaction, and communication” with students on social media and outside of the school setting, except if they are relatives.

In a press conference, DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said communications on social media about ”class instructions” and ”classroom matters” are still allowed.

”Ang gusto natin i-discourage dito ang pagiging very personal na ‘yung relationship between the teacher and learners and I don’t think it is unnatural. There has to be a line between the learners and the teachers. That is why there has to be a line. Hindi lang sa schools 'yan, kahit sa workplace,” he added.

Poa recalled that in the past few months, there had been mounting complaints about the alleged sexual abuses which usually happened in text messages.

”There has to be a line but we are not discouraging the use of social media on classroom instructions. That is why outside the school setting must be emphasized,” he added.

Poa also clarified another provision stipulated in DO 49, he said DepEd employees including teachers are still allowed to vent out grievances but only on the "right channels" excluding social media.

”Ang gusto lang naman natin is dumaan tayo sa tamang procedures or tamang channels para mag air ng grievances. Sympre, hindi naman natin fully maco-control ang grievances. But at the personal level, kung ang tao ay may problema sa isang tao [at] kung talagang gusto niya ayusin 'yun ay kausapin niya 'yun,” he said.

”Because posting online actually won’t resolve that issue, it is really approaching the person and fixing the issue with that person,” he added.

If such issues could not be resolved in a dialogue, Poa said employees and officials could relay it to DepEd's Public Assistance Action Center (PAAC).

Poa said the order only seeks to promote ”professionalism” within the department.

”Itong professionalism, hindi yan bago sa DO 49. Tayo pong mga DepEd employees, kasama diyan yung mga guro, kasama rin ang non-teaching staff, we are all employed in the government and therefore, we are all civil servants,” he underscored.

The Education spox said the provisions under DO 49 contained several provisions of the Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.