‘Teacher tagged in fatal slapping of Antipolo pupil on official leave’
MANILA, Philippines — The Antipolo City public school teacher who allegedly slapped and pulled the hair of a Grade 5 pupil which purportedly resulted in a fatal brain injury is on official leave, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Tuesday.
“Currently, the school principal has assigned an alternate teacher to handle the classes of the concerned teacher who is on official leave,” the DepEd said in a statement.
The unidentified teacher at the Peñafrancia Elementary School allegedly pulled the male student’s collar and hair and then slapped him on September 20, according to the victim’s mother.
Days later, the student vomited and complained of dizziness and headache and was hospitalized on September 26.
The student lapsed into a coma and eventually died on October 2, with the doctor also finding internal bleeding on his brain.
The DepEd said the regional director in Antipolo ordered the formation of a fact-finding investigation team to “conduct immediate, cautious and comprehensive fact-finding investigation in recognition of the right of both parties to be heard as part of the due process.”
A team of selected registered guidance counselors, school health nutrition unit representatives, youth formation development coordinators, among others, has also been formed, DepEd said, to assist in interventions like reorientation on child protection policy of all concerned stakeholders, and debriefing of concerned students and teachers.
“We are saddened by the death of our dear learner and we express our deepest condolences and prayers to the bereaved family,” the DepEd said.
“Rest assured that the Department recognizes the best interest of our learners as primordial consideration.”
