31/08/2020
https://www.facebook.com/438730526553030/posts/978075419285202/
New normal: Who’s really in charge? Parents or Teachers?
The right and duty to educate, being part and parcel of youth-rearing, belong essentially and naturally to the parents, which right and duty they surrender by delegation to the educational institutions. [Pierce v. Society of Sisters (268 U.S. 510, 535)]
Our Constitution, no less, affirms that education of children is the primary duty and obligation of parents, and the same is merely delegated to the State and educational institutions. [Art. II, Sec. 12; and Art. XIV Sec. 2 (2), 1987 Constitution]
SPECIAL PARENTAL AUTHORITY OF TEACHERS
That is why under the law, when students attend formal education, teachers are given special parental authority over the students while they remain under their supervision, instruction, and custody. In other words, the teachers act as their students’ parents while the real parents are at home, at work, or elsewhere. This is also known as- in loco parentis principle.
However, in the new normal, for the first time, students will be in the custody of their parents at home while they are simultaneously under the supervision and instruction of teachers inside virtual classrooms, online.
So whose parental authority then shall prevail?
When it comes to education/academics of students, it is the teachers who shall have full control in the conduct of virtual classes as if it were in a physical class. Just like parents who may be peering at the windows outside of the physical classrooms, parents cannot interrupt online classes or answer or recite on behalf of their children. Now that parents are in actual custody of children while they attend classes virtually, their role is to facilitate the learning of children using the learning kits, materials, digital or otherwise, developed by the schools and teachers.
They now also share in the implementation of school student discipline policies. But no corporal punishment also at home! (Kung ayaw nyo din ma-Tulfo) And part of student discipline is teaching children to be good netizens.
Parents as members of the academic community play an important role in the education of children. Remember, under the law (The Education Act or BP 232), parents’ role is to cooperate in the implementation of curricular and co-curricular programs of their children.
ROLE REVERSAL IN THE NEW NORMAL?
Interestingly, under this new normal, a new education principle looms- parents as special teachers!
Remember the special parental authority of teachers when parents send their children to school? Now it’s the reverse, teachers are sending students at home and parents are called upon by law to be the child’s special teachers.
From in loco parentis (in the place of parents) to in loco magistri (in place of teachers)?
Photo credit to the owner.
