Teachers urged to uphold professionalism in online content

Public school teachers are being urged to avoid using their profession and featuring learners in online content in ways that violate ethical standards and policies, following several incidents involving educators, August 13.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Department of Education (DepEd) had taken note of incidents involving public school teachers who used their profession as part of their online content.

“Nakarating sa atensyon ng Department of Education o DepEd ang ilang mga insidente na kinasasangkutan ng ilang mga pampublikong guro na ginagamit ang kanilang propesyon sa paglabas ng mga content online,” Castro said during a press briefing.

Some of the content involved learners in ways that violated the DepEd’s ethical standards and policies, Castro said.

The incidents highlight the professional responsibility of teachers to exercise proper judgment when their role as educators extends to online spaces.

“Kaugnay nito, nagpaalala ang DepEd sa lahat ng mga pampublikong guro na iwasan ang ganitong mga practice at panatilihin ang propesyonalismo sa trabaho sa loob man o labas ng apat na sulok ng paaralan,” Castro said.

A DepEd memorandum dated August 11, also reinforced the standards expected of school personnel when using social media, including when online activities are done through personal accounts.

The memorandum requires personnel to apply professionalism, prudence and sound judgment to their online activities, particularly when their posts involve learners, classroom activities or school-related functions.

For teachers and other personnel who directly interact with learners, the policy calls for greater care when creating or publishing content involving students or classroom activities.

It also stresses that learners should be treated “with the highest degree of professionalism, skill, and excellence.”

The memorandum further reminds school personnel to avoid online conduct that could undermine their integrity as government employees or the honor of the DepEd.

These standards apply even when personnel use social media in a personal capacity, particularly when their posts identify them as DepEd employees or involve learners and school activities.

For teachers, maintaining professional conduct online is part of their broader responsibility to uphold the standards expected of educators, particularly when their content involves students.

Castro also reminded teachers to uphold their sworn duties and continue serving as good role models for their students.

“Nagpapaalala rin ang DepEd sa mga guro na panindigan ang kanilang sinumpaang tungkulin at patuloy na maging mabuting huwaran sa kanilang mga mag-aaral,” she said.

Castro emphasized teachers’ influence on students, noting that educators serve as second parents while schools serve as their second homes.

“Ang mga guro ay nagsisilbing ikalawang magulang ng mga kabataan, at ang paaralan ay nagsisilbing kanilang pangalawang tahanan,” Castro said.

“Ang mabuting asal ay natututuhan sa tahanan at higit na huhubog sa paaralan,” she added.