Angry teacher "threw" bags of 13 children

CEBU, Philippines - Parents complained against a teacher of the Calajo-an Elementary School in  Minglanilla who “threw” the school bags of 13 of her pupils into a ditch outside the classroom after the flag ceremony last Thursday.

The grade four pupils cried in fear that morning their adviser threw their bags outside their classroom, their books and notebooks wet with water from the ditch.

The FREEMAN is withholding the name of the teacher pending investigation.

In an interview over TV5, Mirasol Nadera, mother of one of the kids, claimed that the teacher got mad upon seeing the classroom in a mess when she arrived. She scolded the kids and threw their bags outside.

Most of the bags are owned by the children sitting on the fourth row, the assigned sweepers for the day.

Another mother who refused to be named said that what the teacher did was not the proper move in disciplining the pupils.

“Nasagmuyo ko ni mam kay pobre gud ko wa koy bana unya naningkamot ko nga makabag og nindot ang akong anak unya iya rang ingon-anaon,” a mother said. (We are poor but I tried my best to buy a good bag for my child, only for the teacher to throw away.)

When sought for comment, the teacher refused to say anything. She will wait for permission from the school principal Jenelyn Craste, who was yesterday attending a seminar at the Ecotech Center in Lahug, Cebu City.

Dr. Recaredo Borgonia, director of the Department of Education Region VII, said he will order an investigation as soon as he receives the official report or complainant.

“If there is a prima facie case there will be a formal hearing before the result will be submitted to me for evaluation,” Borgonia said.

He added that if the teacher is found liable, the DepEd will not hesitate in filing an administrative case.

Minglanilla Councilor Rajiv Enad, chairman of the council committee on education, encourages the parents to file their formal complaint so they can be aided or assisted in safeguarding the pupils from unbecoming conduct of teachers.

“I may file a resolution (on this),” Enad told The FREEMAN. (FREEMAN)