A lawmaker stated that teachers should be protected from false and malicious accusations of child abuse if they exercise their disciplining authority within the bounds of the law, good morals, good customs, and public order.
During a hearing before the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture on Monday, OFW party-list Representative Marissa Magsino said that some teachers and school personnel have become vulnerable to online attacks and malicious and false allegations, even when performing their duties in accordance with the law.
A technical working group (TWG) has been formed by the committee to consolidate and improve the proposed measures for institutionalizing support mechanisms for public school teachers and school personnel in matters of student discipline and classroom management.
The proposal seeks to implement classroom management guidelines developed by the Department of Education (DepEd) for all teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public schools who come into direct contact with students while performing their duties.
According to Magsino, the measure aims to protect teachers from being repeatedly beaten by legal lawsuits, which will not only be financially, psychologically, and emotionally draining but will also destroy students' learning flow because teachers will be too preoccupied with these lawsuits.
Teachers will receive training and professional development in child behavior and psychology, classroom management techniques, positive discipline, and other related fields related to student discipline and classroom management.
