SENATOR Manuel “Lito” Lapid is pushing for a measure that seeks to institutionalize support systems for public school teachers and personnel handling student discipline, and to provide them with legal protection in related cases.

Lapid’s Senate Bill No. 1241, or the proposed Classroom Management Support and Protection for Teachers Act, recognizes teachers and school staff as second parents to students, emphasizing their critical role in shaping the character, discipline, and values of Filipino youth.

He warned that educators have increasingly become targets of false and malicious accusations—often amplified by social media—which threaten their careers, reputations, and ability to maintain order in the classroom.

Under the proposed measure, the Department of Education will be mandated to develop clear classroom management guidelines that define acceptable conduct for students and outline the rights, responsibilities, and disciplinary authority of teachers and school staff.

The guidelines will also specify permissible interventions and due process procedures in handling student misconduct.

Importantly, acts committed by teachers within the bounds of law and good morals, and in accordance with these guidelines, shall not be deemed as child abuse under the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

To ensure fairness and professionalism, the bill directs DepEd to provide legal assistance and representation for teachers facing administrative or criminal charges related to classroom management or student discipline; training and seminars on classroom management, child psychology, and positive discipline; adequate guidance counselors and support staff to assist in behavioral interventions; and confidentiality safeguards to prevent public disclosure of the identities of teachers and students involved in disciplinary cases.

Lapid noted that while protecting children from abuse remains a top priority, teachers and school personnel must also be given equal protection from false accusations and undue public humiliation.

“The scales of justice must be balanced,” he said. “As we protect children, we must also uphold the rights and dignity of our teachers, who dedicate their lives to nurturing them.