Public Protested After a Teacher was Shamed on TV for “Child Abuse”
A 55-year old public school teacher who has been in the profession for 29 years was publicly humiliated on national tv through a popular TV program. She was asked to resign and threatened to have license revoked as requested by one of her student’s relatives.It is after a video that shows her asking a child to go out of the room. According to the child’s grandmother, the child was traumatized and shamed from the incident.
The relatives sought the help of a popular tv program that aims to provide assistance to those who don’t have the means to seek for any legal or professional help. The host then sought out the teacher in question and directly gave her an ultimatum; either resign or face a legal complaint for child abuse. The teacher readily admitted to her mistake and apologized. The child’s family, however, wanted to ‘teach her a lesson’ by filing a case and requests to revoke the teacher’s license. According to the teacher, she wasn’t aware that the conversation was live on television.
Furthermore, the video that was aired didn’t show the kid fighting with other kids, as the teacher claimed. She said there were also instances where the child kept forgetting to bring his report card and that one time, it was splashed with water which made the teacher worry. (Report card shows that student’s progress at school particularly their grades/ratings on every subject.)
Upon airing, it sparked outrage among the masses showing support to the teacher. They said that the host had no right to give such stern decision and that the teacher was a victim of shaming and bullying. Such cases should undergo due process and it should be addressed in proper quorum, hence, they demand a public apology from the host and a proper investigation by the Department of Education (DepEd). DepEd issued a formal address on the issue and promised to probe and provide legal assistance.
The issue gave way to discussions as to the scope and limitations of discipline in the classroom. Where should we draw the line between abuse and discipline? Who is responsible for it? Teachers are so-called second parents, and as such, they hold rights to mold the students not only academically but also as good citizens as a whole, thus, correcting them when they did something wrong is part of the process. But home is still where the foundations are laid. The parents and guardians are the first to mold the child’s behavior and well-being. Home is where basic manners and discipline should be taught. It is where they should learn to be polite, to show respect, to become not the best but at least, good individuals. The school is just for reinforcement. As the proverb say, “It takes a village to raise a child”. The society plays a part in the child’s development. The environment that the child is in may be reflected on his actions and behavior. The bible even say, ” Train a child in a way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Let’s talk:
- When is discipline considered an abuse? Please cite an example.
- What differences can you see on how teachers treat students when you were a student and now?
- What punishments did you experience when you did something wrong at the school? Please share when and why you were punished?
- Some people say spanking a child is a form of discipline while other’s say it’s not. What’s your take on this?
