Fate of teacher now with DepEd chief

CEBU, Philippines - The investigating team that looked into the alleged abuses committed by a teacher in Medellin town against his pupils has forwarded its report to the Department of Education (DepEd) 7 for evaluation.

DepEd Cebu Provincial Schools Division Supt. Arden Monisit confirmed yesterday that the team has wrapped up its fact-finding investigation. She said it is now up to the regional director to take appropriate action.

She said, however, that the findings cannot be revealed until the regional director acts on the report.

Under the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, results of a fact-finding investigation shall not be revealed until a decision is handed down by the regional education chief.

The investigation centered on accusations that grade five teacher Jeremias Pino of Curva Elementary School in Medellin abused his pupils by inflicting harm on the children and by collecting unauthorized contributions. The most recent complainants accused him of letting his pupils stand under the heat of the sun for allegedly stealing money.

Some parents went to the office of Monisit last week to air their complaints against Pino, which prompted the latter to immediately form an investigating team. Monisit said that complainants were asked to shed light on the issue.

Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez had said he will be compelled to go straight to the education secretary or to Malacañang should DepEd fail to act on the complaint properly. —(FREEMAN)