14-year-old student in Cebu pulled then kicked by teacher in classroom

A teacher in Cebu is under investigation for pulling then kicking a 14-year-old Grade 8 student in front of his classmates, GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak’s Alan Domingo reported on “Saksi.”

The incident was caught on video.

The teacher in the video has been teaching for 24 years and had no previous record of hurting a student.

The individuals involved in the incident had requested not to be identified.

The school principal said this is an isolated incident.

“We had already an audience with the parents for two days. At first, Monday, with the father and on Tuesday with the mother. The incident report was also crafted and submitted to the (Department of Education) Division office for further action,” said Dr. Cindy Perigo, Don Sergio Osmeña Memorial National High School principal.

On Friday, the teacher and the parents of the student were called to a dialogue. Both parties declined to issue a statement. Also present during the meeting were the DepEd lawyer, school principal, and guidance counselor.

The DepEd legal officer said the teacher admitted that he was carried away by his emotions.

“The teacher sincerely asked for an apology. Being a teacher and a leader in the community, he affirmed that he has committed certain act which was contrary to the prevailing policy in DepEd, which is to protect the welfare of the student,” said Atty. Vilpa Villabas, Attorney III DepEd-Cebu City Legal Office.

According to DepEd, they implement zero tolerance to any form of maltreatment of students

Villabas said this pertains to any form of abuse, (whether) physical, mental, psychological, emotional abuse committed against learners.

The teacher in question will continue to work while waiting for the result of an investigation.

School officials will make sure that the teacher and the student involved in the case will not cross paths. The student, meanwhile, will undergo debriefing and psychological intervention.