ILOILO City – The Department of Education (DepEd) expressed its condolences to the family and friends of a Grade 10 student from Maasin, Iloilo, who took his own life on May 10.
In a statement, DepEd also requested the public to exercise discretion and respect during the ongoing investigation.
“In the meantime, while we wait for the official police report and findings, we appeal to the public to refrain from spreading unconfirmed narratives as a sign of respect for the family in this time of grief,” the Department stressed.
It outlined the steps being taken by the Child Protection Committee at the student’s school, which includes psychosocial interventions for the affected peers and teachers.
The school will coordinate with appropriate authorities concerning the incident.
The student was allegedly distressed over receiving low grades from a teacher – 64, 69, and 66 across three quarters in the Edukasyon Pantahanan and Pangkabuhayan (Home Economics and Livelihood Education) subject.
A suicide note left by the student cited inability to cope with the project requirements.
Dr. Ernesto Servillon Jr., Schools Division Superintendent of Iloilo Province, visited the bereaved family to convey condolences and address the family’s call for justice.
Servillon emphasized DepEd’s commitment to supporting the family and thoroughly investigating the facts of the case.
Further, the Schools Division Office, led by Division Lawyers, will conduct a comprehensive verification of the events leading up to the tragedy while awaiting results from the investigation by the Maasin Municipal Police Station.
Servillon appealed to students to maintain open communication with teachers and parents about any academic or personal concerns and advised teachers to handle interactions with students sensitively./PN
