Student Zoned; Professionalism a Must?

 Under Department Order No. 49 issued Wednesday, 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.”

There are several reasons why I do not support the DepEd Order no. 49. First, why should we restrain students and teachers from interacting on social media and out of school if you can discipline yourself and set boundaries? It makes it sound like teachers and students cannot set boundaries for what is considered acceptable and what is not. 

Why does the Department of Education need to issue a gag order that threatens and intimidates educators, treats them like mere objects of the school and dehumanizes them by banning them from exercising their freedom of expression, association, and complaint-voicing rights? 

It would be that educators and learners can communicate via social media, for it is the easiest way to contact each other. For example, questions or clarifications regarding previous lessons that teachers should have discussed.

 

Another point to focus on is that the pupils' enthusiasm for learning will improve due to interaction with them. Students can also tell personal problems, especially about mental health, since guidance and counseling office is stigmatized.

References:

retrieved at November 10, 2022 “DepEd Tells Teachers to Avoid Interactions with Students Outside Schools” https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/11/04/2221533/deped-tells-teachers-avoid-interactions-students-outside-schools