A Grade 8 student was allegedly hit on the nose with an arnis stick by his teacher at San Mateo National High School, prompting his family to file a barangay blotter and seek an investigation into the incident.
The student’s father said he noticed that his son’s nose bridge was swollen after the incident on Wednesday.
The father said his son had been trying to leave school past 6 p.m. because he was scheduled to play music at a prayer meeting.
According to the father, the teacher became angry when his son insisted on leaving and allegedly struck him with the stick used for arnis.
“Nakita ko maga yung kaniyang nose bridge. May tama. Sinabi niya na sa akin. Pinalo siya ng teacher ng arnis,” the father said in an interview with Gabriel Gonzales on Unang Balita.
(I saw that his nose bridge was swollen. There was an injury. He told me that his teacher hit him with an arnis stick.)
The father later learned that the alleged incident was not an isolated one.
He said his son told him that the teacher had allegedly hit him on several occasions, including on the head.
When asked how many times he had allegedly been hit, the student said he could no longer count the incidents throughout the school year.
The student explained that he initially chose not to tell his parents because he did not want to add to their problems.
“Ayoko na pong magpadagdag ng problema po kay Daddy at kay Mommy,” the student said.
(I didn’t want to add to Daddy and Mommy’s problems.)
He also said he wanted to maintain a good relationship with his teacher.
The family reported the incident to the barangay on Wednesday night.
The following day, the family met with the teacher and the school principal.
The father said the principal told them that the student would be transferred to another section and that the teacher would no longer be allowed to use the stick.
The teacher, in a statement to GMA News, said he had already apologized to the student and his family, with the school administration present.
“I have my sincere apology, and it was accepted by the family,” the teacher said.
The teacher also said he takes his responsibilities seriously and believes in accountability and fairness.
The school said it is conducting its own investigation into the incident.
While the school said the family and teacher had already reached an understanding, the investigation will continue to determine whether school policies, including the Department of Education’s Child Protection Policy, were followed.
The student’s father, however, said he remains determined to pursue a complaint against the teacher.
“Nag-sorry then I forgive. But kailangan mong harapin kung ano yung consequences na ginagawa mo,” he said.
(He apologized, and I forgive him. But you have to face the consequences of what you did.)
The incident has also been reported to the Department of Education.
A DepEd official said the school had already submitted its report and that the division office is awaiting an order from the regional director before formally proceeding with its investigation.
“The school already submitted its report. So ngayon sir, naghihintay po kami ng order coming from the regional director para po makapagsimula na kami ng investigation,” the official said.
DepEd Rizal clarified that while teachers have the authority and responsibility to discipline learners, such authority is not unlimited.
Under DepEd Order No. 40, series of 2012, or the Child Protection Policy, schools are required to protect learners from physical, psychological, sexual and other forms of violence.
“Definitely, teachers may have authority and responsibility to discipline learners, pero hindi siya unlimited,” the DepEd official said.
(Definitely, teachers have the authority and responsibility to discipline learners, but that authority is not unlimited.)
The official said discipline should be positive, non-violent and corrective while taking into account the learner’s behavior and circumstances.
DepEd also encouraged parents who encounter similar incidents to report them to the division or regional offices.
Those unable to personally go to a DepEd office may send their complaints to [email protected]. — Sherylin Untalan/RSJ, GMA News
