The Department of Education (DepEd) is launching an investigation into a disturbing incident captured in a video circulating on social media, wherein a female individual, purportedly a teacher, verbally berated her students during a live session on TikTok.

DepEd Deputy Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas addressed the matter in a message relayed to reporters via Viber on Saturday, March 16, stating, “We are verifying the report from the field.”

Bringas emphasized the importance of obtaining a comprehensive incident report to guide subsequent actions in accordance with DepEd’s existing policies. He pledged to provide updates and additional information “as soon as available.”

The viral video, currently spreading across platforms like Facebook and X, portrays a visibly agitated individual lecturing a group of students within what appears to be a classroom setting.

Lasting two minutes and 11 seconds, the footage captures the individual hurling derogatory epithets at the students.

Among the disparaging remarks, the individual referred to the students as possessing “ugaling iskwater” (a derogatory term implying a mindset associated with slum living), “ingrato” (Spanish for ungrateful), and declared they would “walang mararating sa buhay” (not achieve anything in life) and “wala kayong lugar sa mundo” (have no place in the world).

“You’re forgetting your boundaries,” the individual began, admonishing the students for what she perceived as disrespectful behavior. She lamented that teachers are not merely “robots” and should not endure ridicule from their students.

Asserting her qualifications, the individual boasted of passing the Board Exams for teachers, only to be met with disrespect from students who, she claimed, had yet to prove themselves in life.

“Ang kakapal ng mga mukha nyo!” (You have thick faces!), she exclaimed, incredulous at what she perceived as shameless behavior.

Following her tirade, the individual is seen rolling her eyes before abruptly ending the livestream.

The video has elicited strong reactions from netizens, amassing 60,000 reactions, 10,000 comments, and 35K shares on Facebook as of the time of reporting. Users on X have similarly condemned the actions of the alleged teacher, urging DepEd to address the matter promptly.

One user on X, identified as cya, commented, “serendipitylover na may anger issues” (serendipitylover with anger issues). Another user, @aleksandrekotyl, remarked, “Maam, your username is serendipitylover theres nothing serendipitous about this.”

DepEd has highlighted the importance of adhering to existing policies regarding the use of social media by teachers during classes, as outlined in DepEd Order No. 49, s. 2022, aimed at promoting professionalism in the implementation and delivery of basic education programs and services.

This incident echoes a similar occurrence in 2021 when a male teacher went viral for a TikTok video hinting at potential child abuse actions.