Lapu-Lapu school cleared of child abuse charges

THE Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutors’ Office dismissed the complaint of child abuse filed by a couple against nine school officials and  teachers of the Sto. Niño Mactan Montessori school.

The couple’s  seven-year-old son was the subject of complaints of bullying his classmates and other misconduct.

After a meeting with the parents last Oct. 10, 2011, the school administrator said the  boy would be  placed  instead in a  home study program.

The parents complained that the decision was unfair and that the incident was not investigated thoroughly.

They filed a P500,000 damage suit.

In her decision, Prosecutor Aida Castillo said  the school’s action  to place the pupil in a home study program instead of suspending him was part of the exercise of academic freedom.

She dismissed the criminal complaint of violation of Republic Act 7610 or the child abuse law.

Cleared of the charges were school coordinator Sunshine Lim, school Supt. Lourdes Lood, guidance counselor Geneveve Pacto, class adviser Mary Ann Orijula, and teachers Martin Misterio, Ivy Muana, Leizel Medrano, Gerald Lumabi, Jack Trangia and Alfie Pianar.

The teachers earlier said  the boy’s behavior did not improve despite several dialogues, conferences and feedback given to the parents.

The school said the home study program was  a form of discipline that the school extended to the boy./CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA