By CYRUS M. GARDE
BACOLOD City — A principal and a teacher in Negros Occidental accused of hurting pupils have apologized. Recommendations on the complaints against them were on hold pending possible settlements.
Ronilo Orense, principal of Araneta Elementary School in Barangay Malingin, Bago City, was accused of laying a hand on an 11-year-old Grade 6 pupil.
Orense banged the head of the pupil on the wall for failing to attend the flag ceremony, the pupil’s parents claimed.
On the other hand, Jennifer Quiachon, Grade 1 teacher at Pulupandan Elementary School in Pulupandan town, allegedly hit a pupil with a notebook and grabbed his hair.
Orense’s case was with the Bago City Schools Division under Division Superintendent Lorlanie Orcillo, while that of Quiachon was with the District of Pulupandan under District Supervisor Thelma Jabongan.
While Orense claimed that he was only trying to discipline pupils not attending the flag ceremony, Orcillo said Orense’s way was wrong.
Orense personally and publicly asked for an apology for what he did. It turned out that the Grade 6 pupil’s father was his second cousin.
Orense will be transferred to a still unidentified school.
Quiachon, on the other hand, also said she was sorry hitting the 6-year-old pupil. She said she was only trying to discipline the boy, whom he described as “naughty” in class.
The boy’s mother, however, said she is pursuing a case against Quiachon. She also said she will transfer her son to Pulupandan East Elementary School.
On July 22, the boy wept and ran to his mother, who was at the school’s waiting shed, after Quiachon hurt him.
The incident was recorded in the blotter of the Pulupandan police station the following day. His parents also submitted a complaint to Negros Occidental Schools Division Superintendent Juliet Jeruta.
Proper protocol is being followed in cases like these, Jeruta said.
She said only the Department of Education regional office can impose sanctions on erring educators, while her office can only issue recommendations.
Jeruta also clarified that her office can hear only complaints against nonteaching personnel like accountants, office clerks and administrative officers.
District supervisors and city division superintendents handle cases against principals and teachers, she said.
Orcillo earlier said every school has a Child Protection Committee that looks into abuses committed against pupils and students./PN
