‘Student slapper’ under preventive suspension

The Department of Education has imposed a 90-day preventive suspension against a teacher who allegedly slapped a 14-year-old student in Antipolo City and died a few days after the incident.

However, the Education department stressed that it cannot divulge more details as investigation on the incident is already under way.

To recall, the Grade 5 student of Peñafrancia Elementary School in Antipolo City identified as Francis Jay Gumikib reportedly died due to brain swelling and fell into coma days after he was allegedly slapped by his teacher.

Earlier, the DepEd Schools Division Office has formed a fact-finding investigation team to investigate into the death of the 14-year-old student.

Meanwhile, the Teachers' Dignity Coalition is asking for support to teachers who are facing allegations of child abuse.

"It's not fair, when a teacher is accused, the case rolls very quickly," said TDC chairperson Benjo Basas.

He also disclosed that the DepEd — after a swift investigation — found the existence of a prima facie case for violation of certain provisions of DepEd Child Protection Policy, Anti Child Abuse Law and even the Family Code, among others.

Basas said that this case shows the prevalent situation in the field and is one of many in which teachers accused of child abuse in many different ways suffer humiliation, physical threat, sensationalization, bullying, and even extortion, despite the provision of Magna Carta for Teachers that ensures the confidentiality of cases involving a public school mentor and the observance of the due process of law.

The TDC, however, acknowledged the DepEd Child Protection Policy, Republic Act 7610, or the Anti-Child Abuse Law and other regulations that intend to protect the children as the group believes that it is the duty of the state to ensure the well-being of the children in all circumstances.