InterAksyon.com
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MANILA, Philippines - The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) is questioning the Deparment of Education (DepEd)'s informal directive to teachers to always smile otherwise they will be marked "no uniform."
ACT partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio, who taught English and Comparative Literature at the University of the Philippines, on Monday said that it would be hard for teachers to flash a genuine smile because of the difficulties they face in their profession.
“We want our teachers to have the proper demeanor but if we put ourselves in their shoes, we will be able to understand why they are frowning with their condition," Tinio said on Radyo Singko Monday.
During the launch of the DepEd's Child Protection Policy Guidelines last Thursday, the department's Secretary Armin Luistro was quoted as saying that teachers would be marked "no uniform" if they would not smile before their students on the opening day of classes on June 4.
Tinio said that if the DepEd wanted to see teachers smile, they should give them reasons to do so.
The lawmaker said raising teachers' salaries and benefits and improving their working condition would surely put a smile to their faces. -with reports from Romsanne Ortiguero
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