Teachers group questions DepEd’s order to cut social media ties with students

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines questions the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Order No. 29 prohibiting teachers from communicating with learners via social media.

In the absence of ample technological support for distance learning, the DepEd itself promoted and lauded the use of Facebook messenger as platform for synchronous and asynchronous instruction. In their failure to provide devices and internet support, they encouraged teachers and learners to use their own smart phones and free data to facilitate remote learning. Isn’t it ironic that now they think doing such is unprofessional?

said ACT chairperson Vladimer Quetua.

According to the Department Order No. 49 issued Wednesday, Nov. 2, DepEd personnel are told to avoid relationships, interaction, communication, including following social media with learners outside of the school setting, except if they are relatives.

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It also aims to strengthen professionalism within the department along with additional provisions on employment and personnel relations as well as responsible use of social media. It is expected to be integrated in all areas of work and practice within the department.

VP and Education Chief Sara Duterte also said the order is to minimize biases on the part of teachers and prevent criminal incidents from happening.

As a teacher, there has to be a line between him or her and the learner. They should not have friendly relations with their learners outside of the learning institution setting because people develop biases when they become friends with someone,

she said noting past cases of such incidents.

However, ACT expressed doubt that prohibiting social media communications between teachers and learners can curb sexual harassment.

Sexual predators have been present even before the advent of internet and they find ways to victimize their prey,

Quetua said.

ACT stressed that it would be of better help if the DepED would improve programs aimed at raising awareness about sexual harassment.

Additional guidelines from the order also asks DepEd officials and personnel to raise issues or concerns regarding basic education through formal and appropriate channels.

Online attacks against each other or disparaging comments about the department should be avoided to protect the agency’s reputation and honor.

Rep. France Castro (ACT Teachers party-list) criticized the order, stating it gags teachers and education personnel.

Why does the Department of Education feel the need to create such an order that gags and threatens teachers and education support personnel which treats them as mere creatures only of the school and dehumanizes them preventing them to exercise their right to free speech, expression, to organize and be able to voice out their grievances?

he said.

Quetua also said that the order is more aimed at protecting the image of the agency and the secretary from public criticisms for its failure to address the issues and concerns on basic education.

In the guise of promoting professionalism, it is restricting the teachers’ use of social media and mass media, as well as other democratic spaces to contain issues that can hurt their image,

he said.