KINASTIGO ng Commission on Human Rights ang modyul ng Department of Education na pumipigil umano sa pagsasagawa ng  kilos-protesta.

Sa isang modyul, nakasaad  ang tanong na “If given a chance, will you join this rally? Why or why not?”

Ang tamang sagot, na nakasulat din sa modyul, ay: “No, because the government is really doing its best for all the Filipino people and their constituents.”

Sa isang opisyal na pahayag, sinabi ng CHR na  naalarma ang komisyon sa  pagpigil ng DepEd na sumama sa protesta ang mga kabataan.

“We are concerned that a module on Media and Information Literacy allegedly coming from the Department of Education discourages children from participating in peaceful assemblies, such as rallies, because the government is doing its best for all Filipinos and its constituents,” sabi ni CHR Spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline De Guia.

Dagdag pa niya, karapatan ng bawat Filipino ang humingi ng pagbabago para sa ikabubuti ng bansa lalo na’t parte ito ng kanilang freedom of speech.

“We stress that our current freedoms that we enjoy today are fruits of past struggles. Instead of discouraging dissent, it would be better to demand better services and accountability from the government and its officials as part of their duty to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of all.”

Samantala, nirerespeto naman ng CHR ang kahalagahan ng batas at ang mabuting maidudulot sa pagsunod ng mamamayan sa batas subalit mahalaga umanong maging ‘critical thinker’ ang mga estudyante lalo na kung ito’y makaaapekto sa buong bansa.

“While respect for the law is a good value to teach, it is equally important to develop critical thinking among our children, especially when it comes to issues that affect us, not only personally, but as well as those national in scope. Love for one’s country is not limited to mere obedience, but can also be manifested through collectively tackling issues of our communities and the country under the guidance of rights entitled to us and protected by the Constitution, including the people’s right to freedom of speech, of expression, the right of the people peaceful assembly, and petition the government for redress of grievances,” wika ni Guia.

Nanawagan din ang CHR sa mga Filipino na patuloy na i-report  ang mga kamalian sa modules para mabigyan ng tamang impormasyon ang mga estudyante sa gitna ng kinakaharap na pandemya.

Kamakailan lamang ay naglunsad ang DepEd ng ‘Error Watch’ upang maging mas madali ang pagtukoy sa mga mali sa modules.