Wednesday, June 18, 2008 DepEd official warns teachers against corporal punishment
WITH the school year in full swing, teachers are once again reminded not to use physical punishment on misbehaving students.
Department of Education (DepEd) 7 Regional Director Carolino Mordeno said that even if students become too difficult to handle, teachers should not resort to corporal
punishment.
Mordeno said teachers who employ corporal punishment to discipline their students may be suspended and may face legal actions.
“If we receive a report of a teacher abusing a student, we will send a fact-finding team to investigate the matter. And if allegations are true, then we will file a case against the teacher,” Mordeno told Sun.Star Cebu.
Nurture
“As teachers we serve as substitute parents. As substitute parents, we try our best to nurture them in the way parents nurture their children. Give them the love they need, give them all the attention they need, give them all the assistance they need,” added Mordeno.
Michael Mende, board member of the Children’s Legal Bureau, Inc. (CLB), said teachers should be patient in dealing with students.
“As much as possible, let’s avoid corporal punishment. Let’s look for new ways and methods to motivate students, to make them love learning,” he said.
Instead of corporal punishment, teachers may give the erring student additional work, Mordeno said.
“At least he will still be productive,” said Mordeno.
CLB’s executive director and lawyer Joan Saniel said corporal punishment will not be effective in teaching schoolchildren a lesson. She said teachers can be sued for that.
Mende said corporal punishment might have negative effects on schoolchildren.
Reports
“The effects of corporal punishment may depend, as there is a lot to consider. Like, if it was very traumatic, (such as) being humiliated in front of the classmates, and that is in terms of self-esteem,” added Mende.
Since August last year up to the present, the CLB has received three reports of teachers physically abusing their students, said lawyer Jo-Ann Suarez, CLB litigation and advocacy officer.
Two cases involved private school teachers.
The CLB speculates that more public school teachers have been educated on child abuse.
While there are private schools that ask for seminars and workshops on Republic Act 7610 (the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination law), more non-government organizations such as the CLB are giving seminars to public schools. (EPB)
