Group deplores attack on Ilocos teacher

MANILA, Philippines — A teachers’ group has deplored an incident in Ilocos Norte, where a group of high school students reportedly beat up their teacher inside the classroom.

Videos and photos of the incident, which occurred last Friday, have gone viral on social media.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) said the videos were distressing. It said it was painful to see a teacher being physically attacked by students.

“We need to examine this incident and find out why it reached to this point, wherein some students seemed to have no respect at all for their teachers,” the TDC said.

TDC chairman Benjo Basas said that while circumstances leading to the incident have yet to be revealed, authorities should not rule out the possibility of holding the students accountable.

Basas said the intent to harm the teacher was apparent as other students could be heard in the video telling their classmates to stop assaulting the teacher.

He said there is a need to revisit “excessive” regulations being enforced on teachers, particularly in disciplining students.

Citing reports sent to TDC nationwide, Basas said many teachers felt they are no longer respected by students because of the child protection policy of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Anti-Child Abuse Law.

The group urged Congress and the DepEd to review existing policies and ensure that the welfare and rights of teachers are also protected.