Teacher in viral video: Stressed or Just Abusive?

Without rationalizing or justifying the actions of that teacher in the viral video, we have to acknowledge that such behavior on the part of teachers may arise as a result of the difficult situations they face within and outside the school. Due perhaps to exhaustion, frustration, or desperation, they may be led to react instinctively as that teacher did.

As a means of deterrence, teachers should be made aware that they may be administratively sanctioned for acts of abuse and violence against their students. They should also be taught more effective ways to discipline their students other than instilling fear in them, e.g., the use of different methods of positive and nonviolent discipline.

The Department of Education (DepEd) should address these difficult situations teachers find themselves in which could give rise to such actions on their part. Some say that teachers are overworked and underpaid. Unfortunately, while the DepEd Child Protection Policy is replete with disciplinary measures against teachers, it does not have any program of action on how to address those difficult situations. While it mentions positive nonviolent discipline, it does not elaborate on how those modes of discipline are to be implemented.

Severo Brillantes,
[email protected]