Abstract
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines underwent significant changes in its pedagogical approach to adapt to the prevailing circumstances. Implementing new Learning Delivery Modalities (LDMs) was a response to the exigencies of the time. However, DepEd and its LDMs were not exempt from online criticism, particularly impoliteness comments, which proliferated across various social media platforms. This qualitative study employed a thematic content analysis approach to explore the triggers of impoliteness in 50 randomly selected comments from Facebook that were sampled using a quota sampling technique. Findings reveal four significant themes: frustration and discontent with education modalities, perceived inefficiency and incompetence, emotional impact and helplessness, and political frustration and dissatisfaction. Generally, the findings of this study indicate that a range of factors drives individuals to express impoliteness in online comments. This study emphasizes the need to address challenges in remote learning, improve leadership and decision-making, support emotional well-being, and prioritize education as a fundamental societal pillar. These implications can guide efforts to create a more effective and supportive education system. Other implications are delineated for educational institutions, policymakers, online communities, and future researchers.
