House panel approves bill protecting teachers from wrongful child abuse claims

The House basic education and culture panel has approved a bill which protects teachers and instructors from wrongful accusations of child abuse.

The approved unnumbered substitute bill amends the Child Abuse Law by providing that any act committed by a teacher or school staff in accordance with the disciplinary rules and procedures issued by the Department of Education (DepEd) will not be deemed child abuse.

"We consolidated House Bills (HB) No. 346, 549, and 6940—all of which want to shield teachers who are trying to discipline students within the regulations, but are accused of abuse. It is true that child protection is indispensable, but teacher protection is also a must,” House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT Teachers party-list, one of the authors of the measure dating back to 16th Congress, said in a statement.

DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas, who was present during the panel deliberations on the proposal, cited DepEd’s Child Protection Policy which cover the responsibilities of learners and school personnel, such as the rights of students in the school, the duties and responsibilities of the school personnel, among others, highlighting the practice of positive and non-violent discipline for learners.

Given such guidelines, Castro said the approval of the proposed bill is long overdue.

"It is good that the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture chaired by Congressman Roman Romulo of Pasig already approved the measure considering that we have been filing earlier versions of this bill since the 16th Congress,” Castro said.

“We hope that our colleagues in the Senate can also expedite their version so that this bill will finally become a law and serve as a layer of protection for our teachers," Castro added. — BM, GMA Integrated News