CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS ILLEGAL, PROHIBITED IN SCHOOLS

A PARENT in San Miguel, Iloilo complained that her Grade 3 son was physically attacked by his teacher.

The teacher kuno got angry because the pupil failed to complete an assignment. Gin gan-it ya kuno ang buhok sang bata, kag napal-ak gid. Haslo!

The corporal punishment of schoolchildren is prohibited due to concerns about the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of children. Such punitive measures have harmful effects on children, including increased aggression, antisocial behavior, physical injury, and mental health issues.

The legal framework for this prohibition is established under the Republic Act No. 10630, an act strengthening the Juvenile Justice System in the Philippines, and further supported by the Department of Education’s policies. These laws and regulations emphasize the importance of treating all children with dignity and respect, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for their development and education.

But let’s face it. May ara gid ya pasaway ang bata, especially those from families where good values are not taught or practiced. So what can a teacher do?

To address behavioral issues, the approach is to use positive discipline strategies rather than punitive measures. The teacher should focus on guidance, counseling, and understanding the root causes of behavioral problems to provide appropriate interventions.

This strategy is in line with global movements towards ensuring the rights of the child, promoting positive and non-violent forms of discipline, and protecting children from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse.

Gone were the days that a teacher can hit a pasaway pupil with a stick or with a chalkboard eraser. Sa subong nga panahon, mga Ma’am kag Sir, makasohan ka na sina administrative or criminal. Haslo!