Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte on Thursday told teachers not to hurt learners as it is “haram” – the Arabic word for “forbidden,” which is also used by Muslims – after a teacher in Peñafrancia Elementary School in Antipolo City allegedly slapped a Grade 5 student who died after 11 days.

In her message during the culmination program of the World Teachers’ Day held at the Fr. Saturnino Urios University – Morelos Campus in Butuan City, Duterte said children, who are being entrusted to teachers, should not be hurt physically, sexually, or verbally.

“Hindi niyo dapat sinasaktan ang mga bata. Merong word mula sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim – ‘haram’ na saktan ang mga bata (You should not hurt the children. There is a word from our Muslim brothers and sisters – ‘haram’ to hurt the children) whether it be physical, sexual, verbal abuse. You don’t do that to children, especially to those that are entrusted to your care, fully by the community, by their families,” she said.

Teachers, Duterte said, are supposed to mold learners into the best citizens that the country could have.

“You are supposed to ensure that they are happy diyan sa loob ng inyong eskwelahan (within the premises of your school) and happy to learn what you are teaching. So, always keep that in mind that whatever you do, will affect the life of that child,” she said. “So, make sure that your footprint is something that is positive in the life of a child.”

The parents of Francis Jay Gumikib, 14 years old, alleged that the teacher pulled their son’s hair and slapped him after he reported his noisy classmates on Sept. 20.

When rushed to the hospital on Sept. 26, Francis’ doctor found internal bleeding inside his brain and he eventually died on Oct. 2.

Duterte said they had seen Francis’ medical certificate, which stated brain edema as the cause of his death.

“The autopsy is ongoing there in the Philippine National Police and we are waiting for the results,” she said.

The Department of Education 4A (Calabarzon) has issued an order directing a fact-finding team to look into the incident. It is also in the process of providing interventions for the school’s learners and teachers. (PNA) 

Photo credit: Facebook/DepartmentOfEducation.PH