DepEd to parents: Immediately report cases of abusive teachers

The Department of Education (DepEd) urged school officials to take the initiative to immediately report cases of abusive teachers, according to a report by GMA News' Mark Salazar on "24 Oras," on Wednesday.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said, "Puntahan niya si Superintendent, punta kaagad sila regional director. Suspend kaagad while the investigation is going on. The thing is you have to take the initiative. A child's well-being is at stake."

This call was made amid the increase of reported child abuse cases in the past three years despite the 2012 implementation of a Child Protection Policy, which aims to protect students from abusive acts inside school premises.

The report cited an incident in Camarines Sur last year wherein a student was forced to stay under the sun with outstretched arms while balancing a bottle cap on his forehead.

If the bottle cap falls, the teacher will add another punishment.

After eight months, there were no sanctions imposed on the teacher.

"Nilipat na muna namin pansamantala sa another school. Kung ang teacher naman ay... hindi naman talaga... mabait siya at isang beses niya lang nagawa 'yun. Hindi naman natin na pwede na 'yung kinabukasan ng teacher ay ma-hinder at ma-punish siya," Arnulfo Balane, DepEd Camarines Sur division superintendent explained.

The report also said public schools were tasked to have a child protection committee that will act on cases of child abuses. The regional office of the DepEd should probe the incident, noting that the teacher can conduct lessons while the investigation is ongoing.

"We do not have that right na punong-guro na sabihin sa teacher na kailangan huminto ka muna, 'wag kang magtratrabaho. Tuloy-tuloy po siya," said Dr. Romeo Fernandez, president of the Philippine Elementary Schools Principal's Association.

Meanwhile, the People's Recovery, Empowerment Development Assistance (PREDA) Foundation, called for a strict implementation of the Child Protection Policy.

"Paano pa makakapagsalita 'yung bata, paano pa magkakaroon ng mga testigo na susuporta doon sa bata na nagrereklamo kung patuloy na nagtuturo doon sa paaralan na iyon ang guro na kanilang nirereklamo?" said Francis Bermido Jr., executive director of PREDA.

"Sa mga kaso na hinawakan namin, wala talagang umabot sa punto na nabigyan ng sanction 'yung guro na sinampahan ng kaso. Sa halip na tulungan 'yung bata at 'yung magulang ng bata makapagsampa ng kaso ay dinidiscourage pa sila nung mga school authorities," he added. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BAP, GMA News