The Department of Education has issued Department Order 40, s.2012, which prohibits the use of corporal punishment and promotes the use of “Positive Discipline”. Hence, positive discipline should be done by all teachers as part of their teaching. Teachers could provide children succeed by giving them the information they need to learn, and by supporting their development. Moreover, children’s rights should be respected to have a healthy development, protection from violence, and active participation in their learning.
To support teachers in developing the skills and confidence in using positive discipline, this should be part of the school active program so that educators will know how to interact with their learners every day. Teachers should have felt both positive and negative feelings about their experiences, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The support of parents is also needed so that children will be sensitive to possible negative reactions to the current crisis, such as sadness or hopelessness. Understanding on what the children are thinking and feeling is important to know individual differences which enables the teacher to factor in such differences and set appropriate expectations that the learner can meet. Problem-solving and working with parents should be done by the teachers as their pattern in approaching obstacles, challenges, and frustrations. Let us remember that the best interest of the learners shall be the paramount consideration in all decisions and actions.

By: Ms. Angielyn B. Dominguez | Teacher I | Cataning Elementary School | Balanga CIty, Bataan