The Commission on Human Rights in Negros Oriental and Siquijor on Monday called out to teachers not to give in to the likes of now-controversial broadcaster Raffy Tulfo who received flak recently for seeking the resignation of a teacher on national TV.
In a statement, CHR Negros Oriental and Siquijor head Dr. Jess Cañete said the agency “condemns in its highest form the acts of Mr. Raffy Tulfo in addressing an issue between the teacher and the parents of a pupil which resulted in the teacher’s resignation”.
“Do not be put down by that isolated zarzuela by Tulfo,” Cañete said, addressing teachers, saying they are “indispensable instruments of nation-building”.
He urged the mentors to “continue to exert professional effort and expertise in building the youth for their own progressive and ideal future,” adding that they can discharge their functions in giving discipline without necessarily “demeaning the dignity of the child”.
Cañete was referring to the “teacher-shaming” incident as reported by national media on Tulfo’s program last week, where the broadcaster was addressing a complaint against teacher Melita Limjuco by parents of a Grade 2 pupil who was made to leave the classroom after he forgot to bring his report card.
Tulfo then asked teacher Limjuco to choose whether the issue would be brought to court or simply have her license revoked; the teacher was pressured to choose the latter, the media reports said.
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The CHR official said Tulfo “violated the rights of the teacher by way of humiliating her in public which led her to resign from her job.”
“That program of Tulfo is not the proper forum, nor is it an established instrumentality to deal with the subject matter that has the authority to dispense issues of such nature, nor has he the required expertise and training to handle the same,” Cañete said.
He said child abuse in classrooms, as defined in Republic Act 7610 or An Act Providing for Stronger Deterrence and Special Protection against Child Abuse, Exploitation & Discrimination, Providing Penalties for its Violation and for Other Purposes, “has its own standards, and not dependent on a parent’s definition, nor Tulfo’s.”
Cañete, meanwhile, reminded parents that the responsibility of instilling discipline in their children primarily rests on them and not on the teachers.
The teachers, he said, are secondary parents and can discipline the children at school when parents fail to do so at home.
By enrolling their children in school, it goes without saying “that you are likewise willingly delegating that responsibility to the teacher,” he added in his message to the parents, “otherwise do not enroll them in schools.”
Cañete also said “the CHR is likewise cognizant to the provisions of the Magna Carta for Teachers protecting them from negative public opinion and trial by publicity during the pendency of their cases.” (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
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