THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers questioned the Department of Education Order No. 49, prohibiting teachers from communicating with learners through social media, saying the very agency pushed them to exploit social media platforms during distance learning.

“In the absence of ample technological support for distance learning, the DepEd itself promoted and lauded the use of Facebook messenger as platform for synchronous and asynchronous instruction. In their failure to provide devices and internet support, they encouraged teachers and learners to use their own smart phones and free data to facilitate remote learning. Isn’t it ironic that now they think doing such is unprofessional?” said Vladimer Quetua, the group’s chairperson.

“It is also doubtful if banning social media communications between teachers and learners can curb sexual harassment. Sexual predators have been present even before the advent of internet and they find ways to victimize their prey. Of late, what we have seen are victims speaking up through social media, bringing to light cases that have transpired online or offline. Is the DepEd more concerned with being put on the spot every time a case is exposed online than actually preventing sexual harassment?” Quetua added.

Quetua said it would be of better help if DepEd would strengthen programs aimed at raising awareness about sexual harassment.

“How does the DepEd fair in conducting gender-sensitivity trainings among its personnel, or in bringing justice to victims of sexual harassment? How sincere is the government in protecting our learners when the proposed 2023 budget for Child Protection Program is lower than last year by 82 percent?” he asked.

Quetua said banning social media communications with learners would appear that DepEd Order 49 is more aimed at protecting the image of the agency and the secretary from public criticisms for its failure to address the issues and concerns on basic education.

“In the guise of promoting professionalism, it is restricting the teachers’ use of social media and mass media, as well as other democratic spaces to contain issues that can hurt their image,” he said.

“For the record, we have written many times to the Office of the Secretary to express our concerns and request for dialogues. What we got is one curt response merely acknowledging receipt of our letters but our requests for meetings have remained unheeded, while we have received no invitation to any stakeholders’ consultation that they have allegedly conducted. DO 49 targets to further limit our teachers’ access to avenues for airing out our grievances,” Quetua added.