CHR tells DepEd: Love for the country not limited to obedience

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed concern over the weekend about a learning module that discouraged students from joining assemblies, telling the Department of Education (DepEd) that love for one’s country is not limited to mere obedience.

Last week, photos of a DepEd module on Media and Information Literacy made rounds on social media for a question asking students why or why shouldn’t they join rallies.

 Another page of the module showed the answer key to the question explaining not to join these protests because “the government has really [been] doing their best for all Filipino people and their constituents.”

“Instead of discouraging dissent, it would be better to demand better services and accountability from the government and its officials as part of their duty to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of all,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said in a statement.

The CHR reminded the public—particularly students—that they have the right to peaceably assemble, and petition the government for redress of grievances. 

“Love for one’s country is not limited to mere obedience, but can also be manifested through collectively tackling issues of our communities and the country under the guidance of rights entitled to us and protected by the Constitution,” the CHR said.

This is not the first time that the DepEd has been called out over its modules. To address the errors and issues surrounding the modules, the DepEd has launched an online platform for complaints.