Borgonia orders probe versus Argao teacher

CEBU, Philippines - Department of Education-7 Director Reca-rido Borgonia has ordered an immediate investigation into the reported physical abuse committed by a public school teacher in Argao against one of his pupils last week.

Borgonia has directed the provincial superintendent to create a fact-finding committee to determine the possible liability of Vicente Lucero.

Lucero, 40, a teacher assigned at Langtad Elementary School in Argao, was accused of hitting his 12-year-old pupil with a meter stick after the boy and his classmate were allegedly playing while they were having a class.

Aside from hitting the boy with the meter stick, Lucero also dragged the child by his hair outside of the classroom. Lucero reportedly told the boy not to come back anymore as he will no longer accept him for being an undesirable student.

In an interview over dyLA, Lucero admitted hitting the child and apologized for losing his temper. Lucero, however, justified his action by saying that the pupil has been very naughty and is already affecting the other pupils in their review.

According to him, they were having a review in preparation for the evaluation test next week but the victim was not paying attention. He said he had been calling the pupil’s attention and admonished him to participate in the review.

Lucero claimed that the pupil has the reputation of being mischievous since Grade I, although, he could not cite an instance where the child was sent to the guidance counselor’s office.

Borgonia said teachers should always be calm and avoid physical punishment against their pupils otherwise they will be risking themselves of facing criminal charges for violation of the Republic Act 7610 otherwise known as the Child Abuse Law.

Borgonia said physical contact with the child is also against their own administrative guideline. (FREEMAN)